It’s encouraging to see so many of my friends and neighbours going door to door to let Bowen Island know about our candidates for the upcoming election. Some dear friends of mine are canvassing for our Liberal candidate; I am part of a very enthusiastic group of Bowen Islanders who are canvassing for Ken Melamed, our Green candidate, and I’ve met a few who are keen to support NDP. (I’m sure there are a few who will vote for the Conservative incumbent although I haven’t met them yet.) What the great majority of us have in common is a deep desire to be involved in ensuring things change in Ottawa.
What is heartening to me is that so many people are talking about the election, and talking about what is important to them and about which candidate they feel will best be able to bring change to our ailing democratic processes in Canada. ABC (Anybody But Conservative) is one motto. But underneath the anti-Harper sentiment is a real yearning to see our Canada restored as a leader in peace keeping, in progressive social policies, and environmental protection. A healthy economy and viable plans for reducing dependence on fossil fuels are also on people’s minds.
I realize we are just one riding out of 338. But we can be part of the change that is going to be sweeping across Canada this election. Please talk to your friends, in this riding and everywhere. Encourage them to vote. Especially talk to young people. I can’t remember an election where real change was as imminently possible as it is this time. As long as all of us vote we can be confident in our ABC strategy, and some of us will actually get the candidate that we truly feel will best represent us in Ottawa Please vote.
Ken Melamed will be visiting Bowen on Sunday, September 20. We’re encouraging people who are thinking about voting Green but feeling very anxious or conflicted about it to come meet him Sunday afternoon between 4 and 6. Please email me or Cynthia ([email protected]) or you can call 778-999-2308 if you’re interested. We’d love to have you join us.
Kathryn Thomson
