Grrr...

Hello Everyone,

Well, the results last night weren't what I was hoping for but the Canadian people (or at least those who bothered to show up) spoke.

They ran a segment on CBC, "If I were Prime Minister" leading up to election night. Here is what I would do:

• Mandatory voting. People can spoil their ballots but they have to at least show up. Penalties would be similar to a few other countries – increased income tax and reduction in government services.
• Free post-secondary education in exchange for 2 years of government service. This could take several forms: military, coast guard, parks, entry level government positions, etc. We get extra work, educated people and graduates that have work experience.
• Maximum 8 year terms for MPs & Senators
• Allow constituents to recall MPs.
• Reform House of Commons so ridings are set by population. It’s currently very Atlantic Canada heavy when you consider the population. Create extra seats so you also have popular vote representation.
• Reform Senate to elected and set seats by province. Each province (regardless of size) will get x number of seats. That will create a balance between the two houses.
• Set election dates (every 4 years)
• Make work projects:
o Bike path beside each national highway
o Bike path beside each major road in a national park. Safer for all, more people using the park, more fees collected to help with conservation
o National passenger railway
o Nice rest areas on the national highways, like when you’re driving on the Interstates in the US.
o Money to provinces for provincial passenger railway
o Money to cities for transit to link the above points together
o Overhaul government buildings (including residences) to make more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Old does not necessarily mean re-replicate it. Old and new can look nice together
• Mandatory English and French class in all provinces from grade 1-8
• Immigrants must be able to communicate in either English or French
• Easier for immigrants to transfer education, work licenses etc. to work in their field in Canada
• Remembrance Day a statutory holiday
• Tax cigarettes even more and regulate the sale of marijuana to the general public. It will make it easier for people to access it for medical purposes (it’s currently very expensive and if you grow it yourself, you can be targeted by criminals) and if you want to use it personally, at least it's not as bad as cigarettes. Get rid of the criminal element, regulate it and tax it. Take the tax money and put toward Health Care.
• Look at cell phone, telephone, internet and cable. We have some of the highest user fees in the world and we’re lagging behind in technology. Make it more competitive and get some lower fees.
• Work with Natives for self governance and the ability to own their own homes. Many reserves are set up so Natives don’t own the houses and government inspectors can come in at any time, with no notice, to do an inspection. Would you take pride in your home if someone did that to you? Even renters have more protection than that. Work with them to ensure water quality, education, housing, etc are at Canadian standards.


So, based on this, none of the parties fit my platform. And it's frustrating and discouraging. But I'll be out again in 4 years and I hope you are too.

Have a good day!