Dear Editor,
鈥淲hy bother voting, my vote won鈥漷 count anyway鈥�, and 鈥淚 don鈥檛 trust any of the party leaders, they鈥檙e all corrupt!鈥�
You鈥檝e probably heard these or similar sentiments many times, and they鈥檙e not without merit.
So why did I vote already (in the advance polls), and why am I encouraging everyone to get out and vote on Monday, especially those who never have鈥�
One reason is my friend and neighbour Jose Figueroa, who has spent the last two years in sanctuary in a 91原创 church because this Conservative government has refused to intervene in his case and remedy the injustice his family continues to suffer.
Opposition MPs (from the NDP) have been much more supportive, and I鈥檓 confident a change in government will result in a just resolution for the Figueroa family.
Another reason is that Mr. Harper鈥檚 version of Canada is not one I can feel proud of.
When First Nations are 鈥渓ow on the radar,鈥� scientists are muzzled, and supports for our seniors and veterans are cut, we all suffer.
We鈥檝e gone from evidence-based decision-making and international peacekeeping to ideologically motivated fear mongering and questionable combat missions.
Again, the NDP opposition has taken a strong stand on these issues and promises to help build a Canada that works for all of us!
Finally, electoral reform is long overdue, and a commitment from the NDP to implement proportional representation for the next election ought to motivate those disillusioned voters who want their vote to matter.
Mr. Mulcair鈥檚 policies align closely with the values of many Canadians, and the Cloverdale-91原创 City NDP candidate, Rebecca Smith, is easily the most competent person running in this new riding. I鈥檓 ready for change, and I hope you鈥檒l join me in voting for a better Canada.
In the words of the late Jack Layton, 鈥渉ope is better than fear.鈥�
Jonathan Dyck, 91原创
