I had the exact same initial impression of Dion. And then I saw the debate… Now, don’t get me wrong, I’d be voting liberal anyhow, but I was really frustrated when Dion got the leadership — But, he’s finally coming into his own.

I wish he’d worked on the public perception before the election was called tho.

I like the Liberals “team” approach. It’s not just Dion. It’s Dion and Ignatieff, It’s Dion and Rae, it’s Dion and Dryden.

Such a difference from the “my way or the highway” approach of our current Dictat- err PM.

I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the http://www.voteforenvironment.ca site, which for your riding does suggest that Don Bell is in tight against the Conservative. So, voting for one of the other left parties would have increased the chances of the Cons getting in!

Thanks for your thoughtful blog on your voting decision. I appreciate the amount of brain power, balanced with gut and heart, that went into your choice.
Bottom line, agree or dissagree, an informed decision is the best kind.

Vote where your heart lies. Vote for the candidate/party you want to vote for. Perhaps we do need electoral reform if this movement of trying to upset victory through strategy continues. Isn’t the point that everybody has their say and the party with the most supporters gets to govern?

I guess I don’t really understand your point. Are you saying that people on the left should vote for the Left wing party with the best chance of forming gov’t, regardless of how they feel about that party? If so, wow.

Also, please use facts, not Liberal fearmongering to educate yourself. Stephen Harper has said repeatedly that he will not reopen the abortion debate. As for the war… you know more about that than I do since it was Chretien who got us in there. But, I guess that’s what a good UN/NATO nation would have done. And faith-based policy? I’ll need you to give me some examples of that. Seriously. List some.

I can appreciate your clinging to Trudeaumania, my friend. We obviously disagree, but this isn’t the 70’s. It’s time for you to recognize that Trudeau’s NEP, immigration, health, and taxation policies of 35 years ago are outdated and have harmed out country greatly.

rk.

Ahhhh …. my blue blooded brother … Canadians need to vote strategically to steel against a Tory majority. If there is 3 way vote splitting on the left, the Tories can sweep to huge power.

Sweater vests for everyone!

Strategic voting needs to happen to keep a minority in play and force Harper to go down to Sesame Street and learn the word “cooperation”

If it’s a Liberal minority, even better, as Dion already knows how to play nice with Layton, May and the others.

A collaborative effort is needed here not a Dictat- err.. heavy handed PM.

@Aerodoq i did include Vote For Environment as a link within the text of the article, without naming it specifically.

Thanks for including it. I will be also highlighting the site tomorrow in my column in 24hrs.

Then maybe you should convince the parties on the left to merge.

And… what about those policies I asked you to point out?

The blessings of living in Canada …show me a better place .We can put in print how we feel about politics, religion etc. etc. and expect to come out of the voting booth alive on October 14.
And happy , that I decided in the late seventies to go green for my health and others around me . Cycling , walking and using public transportation to work became the norm .

Amen to that. Also nice that I can say “Amen” and face only ridicule. I remember being in Cuba and seeing a square where the men stand about discussing politics. Mind you, they were all discussing the “right” politics.

I’m in your riding too, Buzz…I’ll be making a strategic vote and casting my ballot for Don Bell too. From childhood, I’ve been a bleeding heart left-winger and often vote NDP, but my NDP vote is completely wasted in North Vancouver. I want it to mean something. I’ve met Don Bell….he’s a warm, sincere individual that has done a lot of great work in North Vancouver. I feel comfortable throwing a vote in his direction.

On the flip side, I’ve taken to returning Conservative direct mail to sender with a clear message that they will NEVER get a vote from me. It gives me a strange sense of accomplishment.

Thank you for getting the conversation started. Politics is often a taboo topic. In this election, we need to be talking with our neighbours about what’s best for our communities…and our country for that matter. For me, this election is about defining our national fabric.

Thanks for your honest opinion. I have always voted for the Liberal and this time round a bit hestitated. However, like you said, got to vote strategically, and in that case I only have one choice in order to prevent a conservative majority, which I will hate to see!

VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!

Okay, do only Liberal voters know how to use the internet? Apart from our pal from Alberta, where are the Tories standing by their man?

@Jen thanks for the comment .. appreciate you reading and contributing!

Thanks for letting me crash this blog as an interloper.

Here’s what you may not like to believe about a lot of Conservative voters.
- Many of us vote for the Conservative party, but are not conservative people.
- Many of us appreciate the arts, but prefer to support it with the part of the paycheque we get to keep, rather than the part that is taken from us by the gov’t.
- Many of us don’t appreciate the gov’t invading our bedrooms, let alone our wives, partners, and other ladyfolk’s uteri.
- Many of us are not devout followers of any particular religion or otherwise spiritual group, however we don’t have a problem with those who are since a variety of religions or otherwise spiritual groups are reflected throughout Conservative voting ranks.
- Many of us choose to work hard for a living to afford a self-reliant lifestyle.

I could really go on. Truthfully, it’s difficult to talk to most leftists because of the vitriol you tend to shriek when you feel threatened by right-wing thinking. Most Conservative voters would read this blog and understand that our thoughts are wasted on this page, as mine likely are.

But here’s what this election is about… and here’s what every election is about. It’s about voting for a gov’t that will shape the country over the next 4+ years. History is the best teacher, so some of us look back on the past and see that this country has been managed into a slow rot by over-spending thieves who porkbarrel their way into power. Canadians have been hoodwinked into higher taxes, new taxes, taxes on taxes while those in power stuff the coffers. I won’t vote for that party. But the left looks to the future with hope, casting the ballot believing that “this time it will be different.” You want Stephane Dion in power because you believe that the Green Shift will be tax neutral, but you’ll have to pay more for pretty much everything… because if it got there, it got there by truck, and truckers sure as hell ain’t going to swallow the increased price of diesel. So you’ll be outraged at the very thing you could have avoided if you’d only used your common sense when making your one decision.

I’ve always said we deserve the gov’t we get in this country. We deserve the Liberals because most of you are terrified to break away from the teet of Ottawa and try to make it on your own.

I’ve been back in Alberta, where we have almost a clean-sweep CONSERVATIVE gov’t, for two years and you know something? I get to keep more of my paycheque than I ever did in Vancouver. I use that money to support things like art, culture, museums, zoos, etc. And, you can get abortions here. What I can’t get, is a family doctor because it’s illegal to pay for one. Thanks for that, Pierre.

Thanks for reading this, those of have. Buzz, sorry to blog on your blog. I really miss our discussions. This very discussion is great for our amazing nation.

@Roger I love you, man. Do you think Harper has a problem with that?

Roger: It’s pretty specious to sing the praises of Alberta’s brilliant governance. They’ve enjoyed an enormous windfall in the past decade, and that makes governing a whole lot easier.

More generally, the nice thing about Canada is that the elected government always has to move to the middle. The Conservatives aren’t really that conservative, and the Liberals aren’t really that liberal. I take comfort in that reality.

Good on you! Finally, someone who hit it on the head!

Buzz, still not convinced about Dion but definitely against everything Harper stands for.

FF

It’s true that Alberta has enjoyed the riches of oil, but so has the rest of the nation. The key is to manage it well bearing in mind the needs of the people and the capabilities of the province to provide those needs. We had debt once too, and we didn’t defeat that with $100/barrel oil. So, it can be done. BC could stand to learn that lesson and dismantle a union or two… you know… for the sake of the majority of BCians.

Frank… Can you elaborate on what you mean by “against everything Harper stands for?” Go into detail. This is a challenge.

Coming out of the closet so to speak ….My MP , a conservative , who I will vote for on October 14 …I have had discusssions with Colin , while visiting him ” on the hill ” as a diabetes advocate in Ottawa and also here in the Shuswap . Colin is listening to me and our health concerns of people living with diabetes in this constituentcy …IMPORTANT , costly issue .
My suggestion to you out there …stay healthy , visit your Doc, eat healthy , excercise regularly , do not smoke , the glass of red wine …we could save YOU a bundle of excess taxes ….

Most low key PM ever…besides election time when do you ever see the guy?
Where do I begin? No charisma. Mind you, Chretien was a pr nightmare.

I don’t agree we should still be in Afganistan. Tories extended the mission not once but twice. Yes Roger ,Jean got us there but it was the right decision at the time and shortly after 9/11..would you rather we had gone to IRAQ in search of those WOMD”s.

he has no position on abortion..why? (remember when he was with the Canadian Alliance does anyone remember that?)

gay rights? highly doubt it.

terrible environmental record…does he give a f? i.e Kyoto??

Originally wanted CANADA in Iraq back in 2003…oh how we forget!~

if he can cut 45 million out of the arts, why do we still have to play 35% percent CAN CON?
Harper still one of the few leaders in the world supporting a Bush Economic style plan.

wants to more minors in jail and to try them as adults…good job bro! that’s the solution.

Mind you, I’m sure you’ll have a shopping list of the Liberal Faux pas…it’s all fair game.

I think he’s a crummy leader.

Oh hang on..he lowered the GST..GOD SAVE THE QUEEN…wasn’t it the Tories who first introduced it?

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008 …the world is changing Nov 4th.

I feel I should answer, since I threw the gauntlet.

Afghanistan is going to be a philosphical quandry for quite some time. Personally, I believe the world should rise up against any government that kills its civilians the way the Taliban does. But that’s my peace, not everybody else’s. As for Iraq… no I wouldn’t rather have gone in 2003. The intelligence was faulty and it was the wrong thing to do.

He has a personal position on abortion, but believes that parliament has voted on this matter and won’t discuss it further.

He believes in the “traditional” definition of marriage. He promised that the house would have an open vote on the matter. The house defeated his motion to pass law restoring the definition of traditional marriage. Following that, Harper said the decision was made democratically and that he would honour it and couldn’t see discussing it again.

Please research the arts funding cut. Arts funding has increased since he’s been PM. This is a fact that most of the “starving artist” are either ignoring or are too lazy to learn. (I trust the CanCon thing is a joke.)

Please define Bush Economic style plan.

He doesn’t want to put more minors in jail. He wants to try as adults minors that commit serious crimes. Personally, I don’t like seeing 15-year-olds murder who murder a family walking free at age 22.

Yeah, I do have a shopping list of Liberal faux pas, but I won’t list them here. We need an excuse to go for a beer anyway.

Thanks for the reply.

Dion speaking at the Empire Club of Canada. Passion. Positivity. Honesty. No sweater vests.

http://watch.ctv.ca/news/election-2008/liberal-campaign/#clip100897

forward to about 4:00 mark

Hey Buzz.

Great post. We did some research before the whole family cast our votes on Monday. Csilla put mine, B’s and Nana’s ballots in the box - at 3-1/2 she already knows how important it is to vote - they gave her a girl guide cookie when she was finished. Thanks to the Girl Guides, the kid is hooked on voting for life!

But I digress… I too voted for Don Bell. I considered voting Green because I align with their philosophy, but to vote for them would have been a throw away in our riding because it’s such a close race between Don Bell and Andrew Saxton. To vote without putting some research into how our votes very specifically would affect the outcome of the government would have been irresponsible, so chalk 3 more in Don’s column from our family.

ps - I checked out “Vote For Environment”. Excellent site. Kudos to you for bringing it to the attention of voters.

Hey Buzz,

When I look at it deep down, I find that I too am a little right of centre. I like the Conservatives, thier stand on crime, less taxes, less government control in our lives. But I cannot vote for them simply because of their stand on healthcare. If they get a majority government, I fear the end of our system due to crappy legislation and crappy NAFTA challenges from large US corporations. I see no place for for-profit care in this nation, and any that has already crept in has cost us all more by increasing user-fees, and by taking health care professionals that would have been in the public system into the private one, thus creating longer wait lists, etc. I don’t see how people don’t get that. And I don’t see why the conservatives want to bring in a system like the US has. My cousin paid $14,000 to have a baby in the US for pete’s sake. And she had some insurance already. CRAZY.

As for voting strategically, in reading your readers comments, I wonder what would happen if we all voted how we actually wanted to instead of thinking our vote would be wasted on a specific party. When I lived in North Vancouver, I too voted for Don Bell as I thought my NDP vote would have been wasted, but who knows, maybe not.

I can’t vote Liberal. Dion does not a leader make. More spending to the tune of billions, and a carbon tax that will especially be a double whammy for British Columbians as we already pay a BC carbon tax, and then a federal one - give me a break. And let’s not forget, the old Liberals - just out of power two years ago - screwed us over royally with their stupid sponsorship scandals - and then Dion brings out Paul Martin at his last press meeting - just in time to remind us that those old guys really never do go away.

Layton - well, the NDP are never going to govern this nation. He seems like a good guy, but taxing corporations who are responsible for job creation in these economic times - well, not the brightest idea I’ve heard. But their position on healthcare and housing are good.

I guess I’m left voting for the Greens. Even if it is “wasted”, at least they’ll get my $1.40 vote fee.

@Sarah OConnor

If we all voted “according to our hearts” we get a Harper majority. For history, that’s how Canadians have voted. The web is now letting us network strategically. 60+% of Canadians identify with a party OTHER than the Conservatives. In a first past the post system, this brings HUGE vote splitting on the left, allowing the Tories to move up the middle uncontested on the right.

So strategic voting is necessary. If you still live in North Van and believe in the green environmental agenda, then a vote for the Green is just as good as a vote for Harper. It’s a tightly contested riding, one that will come down to a few hundred votes. By NOT supporting Bell, you, in effect, support Saxton.

I would encourage you to watch more video of Dion, especially the video I linked to on The Hour. Don’t buy into the Harper bullshit negative campaign about the man.

Think again. And don’t waste your vote.

If you really want the Greens to get $1.40, make a campaign donation.

I can’t believe you. In all that I’ve read, I believe that you don’t even like Dion? You just hate him less than you hate Harper and you have some irrationally instilled fear of Stephen Harper based on what you have been led to believe about people who believe in God.

I am blown away by the sentiments of the left in this one. Sarah presents an OVERWHELMINGLY valid point about the trail of deception, greed, thievery, and deceit left behind by the last two Liberal parliaments and you totally ignore it.

The Liberals break promises and pull the carpet out from underneath us every bloody time they are in power. I want to make bet with you. If Dion wins and implements the “Green Shaft” will you admit in four years that you didn’t get the tax savings you were promised by your fearless leader? Will you be able to admit that the carbon tax did, in fact, rip off regular everyday Canadians by making virtually everything we pay for more expensive? (How, exactly, am I going to get enough money back on my income tax to cover the inflated cost of consumer goods?)

And please stop pitching this guy like he’s the only nationalist running in the campaign. Quebec’s sovereignty isn’t an issue in this election and he’s the only one talking about it. Harper, Layton, and May are all federalists as well. Maybe you can tell me how Dion voted in the Quebec referenda. (Here’s a hint. He skipped one.)

Rock on. I’m glad you voted. Here’s hoping we all get some good news on Tuesday.

Loving how your man is out to wag the dog again today, Rog. Never mind issues or policies, let’s get the tape from our pals at CTV and edit it out of context to make Canadians think Dion is a bumbling fool.

So he’s not perfect on the subjunctive tense… cmon. Cut the man some slack. I didnt see smear campaigns against Broadbent when he couldnt speak perfect French - he was embraced for trying.

Dion isnt perfectly comfortable speaking English.. .fine, it doesnt make him a bad man, it makes your guy petty for picking on it.

How is Stephen Harper at the root of this? As far as I know, CTV chose to air the tape in this context.

Can you explain to me this: If Stephane Dion is such a passionate federalist, why aren’t Quebecers going to vote for him?

I feel bad for all these Green Party supporters who want to cast a ballot for the party they believe in, but are now being told by myopic leftists that their votes are wasted. Instead they should be voting for the Liberal Party. They should try to elect a party they don’t want to prevent a party they don’t want from winning. The same is being told to NDP supporters.

Today’s poll suggest 34% will vote Conservative. The Liberal support is at 26%. If the Conservatives win a minority, 66% will have the gov’t they don’t prefer. However, if the Liberals win a minority because of “strategic” voting, 74% will have a gov’t they don’t want. So tell me, what is the strategy?

[...] shouldn’t really tell you how to vote today, the campaigning is over and it’s up to the individual to decide [...]