To the editor,
How well I remember the first time I voted in a Canadian election. It would have been in the early 1960s when I reached legal voting age and was encouraged to do my civic duty and exercise my democratic right.
It was only when I got to the polling booth and looked at the ballot I was given that I realized how unprepared I was. Some names looked familiar but what did I know about them? And John Diefenbaker wasn’t even on the list – who to vote for? When I heard a voice say ‘is everything OK in there?’ I made an X and left.
Now don’t get me wrong, I do believe we need to encourage young people to vote. Many do, and do so with discernment. My message is to all who do vote, regardless of age, to get to know the candidates. Who are they, what do they stand for, how do they think and act, and who will best represent us citizens.
Remember it’s people, not parties, that represent us in parliament, and it’s people that we are voting for.
John Carver, Duncan
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To the editor,
Recently, some of the owners in my strata building have complained that election candidates have been in the building knocking on their doors. Fortunately, we have an enlightened strata council that sent this note to owners:
Council has advised, in accordance with the B.C. Election Act and the Canada Elections Act, candidates or their representatives are allowed access to multiple-residence buildings. While residents are under no obligation to engage in dialogue with them, candidates and their representatives have legitimate access to the building and may knock on unit doors in the near future.
I call this approach ‘enlightened’ because having an informed and engaged electorate is essential to our democracy. If we don’t know what each candidate is offering, how can we make an intelligent decision in this election?
It’s essential for all of us – strata owners and renters – to be aware of our rights during an election. If you have any doubts, the Vancouver Island Strata Owner’s Association provides helpful information.
Bruce Chambers, Victoria
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press Media or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
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Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
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