To the Editor,
We have approximately five months before the next federal election. Nanaimo-Ladysmith is the name of our new blended constituency. We have four candidates competing for our vote; Tim Tessier for the Liberals, Mark MacDonald for the Conservatives, Sheila Malcomson for the NDP and Paul Manly for the Greens.
The next five months give us an excellent opportunity to learn more about each candidate and their party policies. Better-informed citizens are possibly more likely to vote – good for our democracy.
Instead of waiting until after the election to wring our hands and complain of ‘voter apathy’ why not encourage citizens to write in their questions and give each candidate a set amount of words to respond so policies and candidates can be compared? Remember, however disinterested you may be in politics, the results of the election will affect you. Better to have your say and vote.
Liz FoxLantzville