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Speak Up

Election talk (or should we say threats, judging by the tone of much of what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has had to say in recent days) has reached fever pitch. As of when this editorial was written last Thursday, the expectation was that the situation would reach critical mass this week, with the PM expected to pull the rip-cord himself on an election, with voters to go to the polls later this month.

Let's set aside the issue of the PM previously having said there would be a fixed election date, specifically Oct. 19, 2009. Instead, let's focus on how it is only the politicians clamouring for a vote. The people don't have any great yearning to return to the ballot box just yet.

It's all about power, and wanting more of it. A minority government situation rankles the Tory PM, and he's counting on winning more seats this campaign. Never mind that recent polls don't show a whole lot of difference in the numbers of support for the Liberals and the Conservative Party of Canada.

So what does this mean for those of us in the federal riding of Acadie-Bathurst? Not much, we predict. No one really expects Stephane Dion to be the next Prime Minister. He is not perceived by as being a strong leader, nor does he have any degree of charisma that will make voters sit up and take notice. Barack Obama he isn't.

Subsequently, it's difficult to think Acadie-Bathurst voters will pick this outing on the hustings to return to their once traditional Liberal ways. If the Grits are not likely to hold power, why vote for them? After all, we already have an opposition Member of Parliament in New Democrat Yvon Godin, who has represented the riding since 1997.

As for Harper's Tories, this is seldom Conservative country. Roland Boudreau was elected provincially in the riding now known as Nigadoo-Chaleur in the late seventies. Joel Bernard followed suit for one term in 1999 in the riding of Nepisiguit. Federally, former Bathurst mayor Roger Clinch was elected in 1984.

You're talking three Tory victories in 30 years. And, it's common knowledge there's no great love for Mr. Harper in Atlantic Canada, let alone in Northeast New Brunswick. He's a westerner, and his mindset is still perceived by many as being that of someone who thinks Maritimers would rather draw Employment Insurance than put in an honest day's work.

Subsequently, expect no change in Acadie-Bathurst. And if you disagree, then it's up to you to get out the vote for your candidate of choice – choice being what an election is all about.