Do your research, make your decision and then vote

They are off. A federal election has been called. Soon we will be inundated by media, signs will pop up like dandelions on lawns and people will be knocking on our doors.

However, there is some confusion with respect to the division of power in the three levels of government. The Parliament of Canada has jurisdiction with regard to Regulation of Trade/Commerce, Direct/Indirect Taxation, Postal Service, Census/Statistics, Defence, International relations, Navigation/Shipping, Currency/Coinage, Banking, 1st Nations, Criminal law, including Criminal Procedure Penitentiaries and Works connecting provinces; beyond boundaries of one province; within a province but to the advantage of Canada/or more than one province.

Provincial powers that have federal implications are direct taxation within the province, including highways/infrastructure, hospitals, health care and education.

The main functions of a municipal council, our most local level of government, can be described as Legislative functions such as developing and passing the municipal laws, short term and long term planning, and policy. As an example, waste management is a municipal responsibility.

Here is where it gets complicated. Some areas have crossovers. For example, the Canada Health Act, sets standards that must be achieved for the province to receive federal transfers.

Now for my real focus. Voter turnout in the last decade has fallen to unacceptable levels. I am declaring a bias. I have many family members past and present who have given much in service for our country. Some paid the ultimate price. Veterans look at us and wonder, new Canadians also wonder and activists like me wonder: Why?

We live in a beautiful part of the world in a country that has a charter of rights and freedoms, with democratic leadership.

Every four years we have the right to choose those persons that we want to represent our interests. It does make a difference. At that time it is also our respectful, sacred responsibility. Perhaps the current representative is an individual who you perceive has been diligently working on behalf of your perspectives. Or perhaps you see that another individual is more closely aligned with your values.

The key here is to get to know the candidates, their parties and their interests – really get to know.

In our ‘social media’ frenzy, as we have seen, you need to make judgements about the sources and their information.

I have a particular dislike for negative, so-called attack mantras, that really tell me nothing about the party or the people who are responsible for that focus. I want to know what the platform of each entity stands for and how they intend to provide governance. I can hear my elders saying, “if ya can’t say something nice, say nothing”

I know all too well the personal costs of political public service. Representatives spend long hours away from friends and family. They are required to make decisions that in their opinion is in the best interests of the people they are charged to represent.

It is not an easy decision to seek office.

So, I would hope that we who can vote will make time to discover which party, candidate is more closely aligned to our values. Then go to a poll, mark your ballot.

However, it does not stop there. Between elections ensure that your representative knows how you feel about our communities’ issues. Democracy is not easy, but as many will attest, it is worth the effort.