Do we deserve to be Canadians?

Voting is a concept that many people just don't understand anymore. At one time, it was regarded as an honour and privilege to vote. Now, most people regard it as a chore... A voluntary civic duty that they can partake in only if they feel like it. How did this happen?



Imagine life prior to our democratic government. Before we elected our leaders they were merely appointed by the powers that be. And who were those powers? The unelected Monarch, i.e. the King or Queen. And you know how that King or Queen was chosen? Divine right. They were somehow superior to everyone else in such a way that they were "chosen" by God to lead us. The people that lead our country and governed all aspects of our lives were chosen, not elected, by another unelected person. Responsible government was virtually non-existent.



In the first election held in Canada, voter turnout was 73.1%. It has since fluctuated from the low 60's to the high 70's. In the last federal election, October 2008, voter turnout was a startling 58.8%. This number is so low that it is actually embarrassing.



The Fathers of Confederation worked extremely hard to bring us our democracy. Hundreds of thousands of people made sacrifices and worked very hard to achieve democracy in Canada. In fact, in other places in the world hundreds of millions of people, if not billions of people, have been killed fighting for democracy in their countries.



Canada already has a functioning democracy. We are not asking anyone to work hard or make sacrifices. We are not asking anyone to fight or die. All we are asking is that you take a few minutes out of your lives every year or so to vote.



In fact, we are not asked of very much in Canada. Follow the law, pay your taxes, fill out the census, and vote. Only three of those things are required. Following the law is a universal requirement everywhere in the world. Paying your taxes is also a universal requirement, and allows us access to necessary services. Filling out the census ensures that we get the right services. The last thing asked of Canadians is that we vote. It's not required, and no one will ever be forced to vote. We are asked to vote because it is arguably the most important thing we as citizens could ever do because this voluntary civic duty is the controlling factor of the three required duties.



As previously mentioned, the duties of a Canadian citizen are not extreme. They are little more than a minor inconvenience. None of them take a very long time, and many are so ingrained in our day to day lives that we don't even notice them anymore. The majority of us have no problem following the law, paying our taxes, or even filling out the census. Why do we have such a hard time voting. Especially considering all the social programs we receive as Canadians, such as healthcare, education, welfare, and police service. On a personal note, I would never be able to attend university if it weren't for the Government subsidizing over 50% of it, and financing the remaining amount through both loans and grants.



If we don't vote because we "don't have time" or because our "vote doesn't really count" we are insulting not just our history, but our future as well. As fewer and fewer people vote our government becomes less and less democratic. With each passing election as less people vote,  we move closer and closer to our undemocratic past, and further away from the democratic future our ancestors worked so hard to achieve.



When you think about it, we have a municipal election every 4 years, a provincial election every 2-4 years, and a federal election every 2-4 years. If we can't take the few minutes out of our lives to vote every year or so, then do we really deserve the social services we receive? Do we really deserve to be Canadian citizens?


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Ignatieff Makes Personal Appeal

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff sent out an email to his mass mailing list today, with a subject line of "This is personal." Here it is:

My mother got sick with Alzheimer’s when she was in her 60s — early, in other words — and my dad took care of her at home. I’ve never admired my father more than when he looked after my mom, but it killed him, basically. It was tough, even with my brother, Andrew, stepping up, and our family and friends helping.

Like my Dad did, millions of Canadians care for family members at home when loved ones fall ill. They are a silent workforce, providing $9-billion in unpaid work each year. Many must use personal savings to survive, miss work or quit their jobs. Over half have household incomes under $45,000. Like the loved ones they are caring for, many of these caregivers are in the fight of their lives.

Yesterday, I announced a new Liberal Party policy to change that.

Canadians want to shoulder the responsibility of caring for their ill parents, grandparents, spouse or young children. But they also want a government that stands with them, a government that chooses families over corporate tax breaks.

That’s why the new Liberal Family Care Plan will introduce:

1. A new six-month Family Care Employment Insurance Benefit, similar to the EI parental leave benefit, so that more Canadians can care for gravely ill family members at home without having to quit their jobs; and

   
   

2. A new Family Care Tax Benefit, modeled on the Child Tax Benefit, to help low- and middle-income family caregivers who provide essential care to a family member at home.

Replacing the current six-week EI program, the Family Care Employment Insurance Benefit will let families claim up to six months in blocks over a year long period, and share it with other family members.

Meanwhile, the new Family Care Tax Benefit will help low- and middle-income family caregivers defray the cost of providing essential care to a family member at home. The new benefit will provide families that qualify with a tax-free monthly payment worth up to $1,350 per year.

During difficult economic times, governments — and Canadians — must choose.Stephen Harper and the Conservatives choose a $6-billion annual tax break for corporations. We choose families. We’ll keep the corporate tax rate where it is now, 25 percent lower than in the United States, and use some of the savings it provides to pay for the Liberal Family Care Plan.

I know this policy will help countless Canadians struggling to provide care for sick loved ones at home.

Thank you.

Michael Ignatieff

John Ivison of the National Post received this email, and he was less than pleased, stating that them email "reaches too far." He goes on to say that he thinks that the email is "manipulative, undignified and in poor taste." I couldn't disagree more! The email starts off on a personal note, and quickly progresses to a discussion on the Liberal's new home care plan. Ignatieff is using a personal story to attempt to connect to Canadians. He is not reaching for sympathy, but rather letting Canadians know that he sympathizes with them. He is telling Canadians that he knows what they are feeling, and he knows what they are going through. 


This personal approach is not overreaching at all. In fact, catching a glimpse into the personal life of a leader is a refreshing change, and allows Canadians to connect with him on a personal level. I think this email could prove beneficial for both the Liberals and Canadians.

Liveblogging Canada's New Governor General

Thank you for visiting our live coverage of the installation ceremony of our new Governor General, David Johnston!