Who are you voting for and why?

please keep this thread free of flame-wars and fighting. Please only post your own explanation.

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Get out and vote! It doesn’t take much time out of your oh-so-important day, Canadian law requires your employer to give you up to 4 paid hours off to vote, there is no excuse! It’s your right and duty.

If you aren’t a locked in partisan or undecided I encourage you to vote “Anything But Conservative” with the Liberals being the first choice. Unless you are in a riding that’s a close race and where voting NDP has the best chance of beating the Conservative candidate. Check out this website to see whick party is best to vote for in your riding to best stop a Harper majority http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/

Why do I say vote Liberal first? The NDP “surge” that has been unfolding over the past week has made this election more interesting, but these numbers mostly rely on the personal popularity of Jack Layton in Quebec. While it’s exciting to see the Bloc vote collapse, the NDP are not surging here in BC and remember this isn’t a personality contest, we are choosing a government. I support most of the policies in the NDP platform, but we live in the real world, a world with a finite pool of money, a recovering economy and a huge deficit thanks to the Conservatives. Layton has already had to back down on a number of things and the numbers don’t add up. On the flip side the Harper government has seen a flood of scandals, which no government is immune too. But the level of hierocracy, subversion of democracy, dictatorial control and secrecy is unprecedented and very worrisome. To top that off the reason we are in an election is because for the first time in history a government was found in contempt of parliament. What does it say about the state of our democracy if we reward this contempt and degradation of civil government with a majority or even another mandate.
This constitutional expert explains it well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEsXSb_JJSU

Andrew Coyne a prominent journalist for Macleans & the CBC says it well.
“What we cannot afford is the continuing slide of Parliament, and parliamentary democracy, into disrepair. Conventions once discarded, habits of self-government once lost, are much harder to regain. If we return the Conservatives with a majority, if we let all that has gone on these past five years pass, then not only the Tories, but every party will draw the appropriate conclusions. But if we send them a different message, then maybe the work of bringing government to democratic heel, begun in the tumult of the last Parliament, can continue. And that is why I will be voting Liberal on May 2.”

The way I see it is the difference in policies between the Conservatives and Liberals is not that great, the main difference is if you think 6 billion dollars is better spent on education, healthcare and other social areas. Or used to further lower our corporate tax rate which is already the lowest in the G8. Either way this is a small portion of overall spending, neither platform has great increases in spending. The key difference is in the style of government we want, the same contemptuous, secretive and mean-spirited one under Harper or a more open & democratic compassionate government. Just look at the difference of Harper and Ignatieff’s campaigns. Harper is totally scripted, limits press to 4 questions, denies non-partisans access to events and so on. Whereas Ignatieff is unscripted, speaks with passion, accepts hours of unvested questions from anyone. The Liberal Party has manned the helm for the things that make Canada, Canada. Universal healthcare, pensions, the flag, national anthem, charter of rights, the constitution and so on. Contrary to the belief of many tory supporters the Liberals have a better record on the economy and that’s what they say this election is about!

Also worth noting the Liberals have won the social media game http://politwitter.ca/page/election_prediction and have a strong pro-internet platform http://openmedia.ca/sites/openmedia.ca/ ... eral_0.png

Even though the polls have shown a world upside down, I strongly believe the Liberals are best to govern the country in a fiscally responsible and socially progressive centrist government.

I wouldn’t mind seeing a Liberal-NDP agreement or coalition though, combined they will command a higher percentage of the popular vote. And an arrangement like this is the best hope for potential electoral reform. The party in power never wants to change the system, especially if they are able to get majorities with 38% of vote.

But no matter what your choice, go vote! Vive Le Canada!

Great post, thanks Trevor!

I see pretty eye to eye with you politically, well most of the Dippers as well.

For me its all about the social aspect. I do not trust the CPC to maintain rights concerning abortion & SSM. I think they are the enemy of social rights with the exception being gun ownership. Despite a minority of MPs with similar stances I do trust the core Liberals to protect our social liberties. The CPC justice platform is simply a failed prison population program from the US and one that will be far more costly then any Con is willing to admit. It won't be an effective deterrent.

Their corporate tax cuts are simply corporate welfare and at a time when we are running a massive deficit we cannot afford it. We were in a much better shape economically when it was some 7 points higher and even the NDP isn't saying it should be that high again. The Liberals are far less the dastards towards the military as some would make out. Would be interesting to see the NDP control all aspects of the military though just to see what they would say.

Simply put I vote Liberal because they are a great balance between economic & social policies. I have long supported a coalition both officially and unofficially before and still do so.

Whoever has the best chance in my riding to beat the Bloc.

It was for the Conservatives when the election was called because Sylvie Boucher is the incumbant. But now it seems to have switched over to the NDP.

Why: for obvious reasons.

Anything but Cons. Thats just a brilliant way to think through your choice. Don't vote for low taxes and less Gov. Vote for baby kissers, and sleazy pillow talk. The Libs enjoyed huge popularity while the world was booming. The Cons. managed to keep us out of a recession while the rest of the world is close to bankrupcy. If they'de had a majority they wouldn't have wasted 50 billion on a stimulus package, but the fear mongering Libs. basically told Canadians that the Americans did it so we have to.
So vote Lib. and get more sponsorship scandals raised taxes and wasted money on gun registry programs. More money for people who won't work by taxing businesses and people until they're broke.
The Ndp are far worse, I've never taken them seriously but have heard from people from B.C. and Sask. that when they get power they create huge debt and unemployment. Layton's promises are so unrealistic its pathetically naive.
So hungry for power that they tried to take over the Gov. by teaming up with the Bloc. M.P.s that wait until the anthem has been sung before they enter parliment.
So Harper won't pet you and tell you how he's going to take care of you, you harldy ever see him. Thats just fine with me. He walks the walk. Stong economy, much better employment numbers than most countries. More funding for our military. The Libs. sent our military to Afghanistan with broken down outdated equipment and with green fatigues in a desert. They might as well have painted bullseyes on them!
What the Cons. know and have proven, is that low taxes both corporate and personal, create more businesses,which creates more jobs, increasing volume of productivity. Walmart and Superstore understand this concept as well. Taking less money, but ultimately earning more by sheer volume.
Libs. and Ndp. policies choke businesses and people with taxes and create more E.I recipients requiring more taxes, and a poorer class of people who can barely get by.

I'm with davejack - anything but cons. In my riding that happens to be NDP who will keep the cons out. I actually want the cons to win a minority, because no other party is ready for prime time. But I don't want Harper to get even more out of control than he already has. This is not his personal little fiefdom, and if he wants to live in the country of low taxes and less government he can just move to the US, where things are oh so beautiful. Socialist policies like medicare and canada pension, brought in with the support of the conservatives, have made this a great country to live, to the point that US companies tried to sue us for unfair advantage. I want a pragmatist in government, who takes policies from the left and right, as most appropriate, not an ideologue such as Harper. A minority government will keep him restrained in this regard so he won't be able to do too much damage. Just continue with the sound policies the Liberals set up for him in the Chretien years. If he only gets a minority, maybe he'll decide to leave, Iggy will go and we could have better leaders for both parties and less of the hate on between them.

Or who knows, maybe Jack will lead a minority govt and surprise us all, just as he's done with his late surge.

I voted for the local CPC donkey on the advance poll. Why? Because he and Harper are less shit than the other choices.

I'm likely going to vote NDP. Not that it matters in my riding mind you. The Tory guy wins here every time by 3:1 over second place.

My vote is going to an independent. Why? Because quite simply, none of the above have earned it.

Voted CPC. I prefer Harper's economic policy - I don't see a tax and spend approach as being good for us right now, and I do not believe that corporate tax hikes are an answer. I mostly support the foriegn policy, though I'd be a little bit happier with Canada taking on greater leadership roles even if it means more military committments. I prefer the CPC stance on the military, which is to rebuild it, though I am no fan of the F-35. I admit to being gravely disappointed, however, that the rebuild has been mostly talk with little real spending (at least on the Navy which I think needs work - but that's a different thread) I do not always agree with his social policies - I am not rabidly against the long gun registry and I very much support gay marriage - but I also doubt he'll get too much into the social policy weeds, irrespective of the fear mongering of the left, and cancel legal abortion and gay marriage on day two of his majority. I actually hope for a CPC minority for the sole reason of removing Harper and replacing him with a leader with a real vision and some form of personality.

Edit - meant to say minority... not majority.

Trev, Derby, and Andy said it best.

In my riding, the Lib and Cons are neck and neck, so I'll be voting Liberal to stop the Conservatives from winning a majority. Normally I would prefer a Liberal minority, or a Liberal-NDP coalition, but I think a Conservative minority with NDPs and Liberals to keep them in check might be preferable right now.

Either way, anything but a Conservative majority.

If I vote, I'm willing to admit it will be for the NDP. Although my riding is similar to xerxes.

Conservatives keep fucking voting, so I guess I have to...

The reason why is complicated. I don't support the NDP ideologically. They seem to be the party crashers and I'm willing to support them for helping bust up this boring situation. Ultimately out of the main parties they are the least likely to call for the incarceration of my line of thinkers... :lol:

No, I don't expect Jack to be 'different'.

I'm between the NDP and the Cons at the moment.

"Personality Issues"

I find it kind of funny that news articles have changed recently. Instead of being about Ignatieff or Harper and how they will destroy Canada with their bare hands, both parties have begun to downplay personality traits in their leaders -- not that they haven't been fair game until now, but with Layton taking a sharp lead in that regard the other parties don't want it being a driving factor anymore. Personality is somewhat important -- this is not just a party leader, but the man who will be representing Canada internationally (sorry May supporters, I don't think she's going to manage it!).

To be honest, I'm not really impressed with the ad profile of any of the leaders. I'd say that the most tolerable advertisements were Layton's, however, since they simply seemed more light hearted and less aggressive. Dr. Layton is an excellent speaker and is very impressive in person, and time has made the man more mild from his more... interesting positions in the past. Dr. Ignatieff is an incredibly smart and well spoken man, but he simply doesn't translate well into the political scene, in my opinion, and has a nasty habit of causing political gaffs where other leaders would not have caused them. Mr. Harper is alright when it comes to avoiding problems, and I'm personally not adverse to quiet men leading a country, but I personally dislike the man for a few of the positions he holds and the ways he interacts.

"Social Issues"

A clear win to the NDP here for me, even if I question the financial aspects the NDP may bring into it. I am quite progressive socially, and approve of things like the legalization of marajuana (although I think all positions on that are a little blown out of proportion), pro-choice platforms, gay and minority rights (except for Quebec, where they potentially exceed those of the rest of Canada), immigration policies and so forth. I also am not as strongly adverse to unionization as most because it leads to one of the better methods of labour structuring, in my opinion, as long as it does not get out of control in what people want.

The Cons are fairly silent on most of this, and like the Libs, their candidates are rather mixed on whether or not they support some of these things. Likewise, those that the Libs do support they likely won't as voraciously as the NDP, and honestly, I don't view the Libs as strong bringers of change in those regards. They always seem a little all over the place, and projects seem half finished by more recent Liberal administrations. The Cons likely won't support or bring up these topics at all, except potentially immigration.

"Geographic Bias"

Out here, the Libs are a non-factor. Not that this matters much -- I would not vote for the Libs anyways. I feel they need time to rebuild and form a strong stance to work with, and right now they don't really seem to have one which other parties can't do more completely or better. This election shows the state they are in and that they desperately need to rebuild.

That leaves the NDP and the Cons, and typically the Cons have done a better job of leaving the West alone. To be honest, this is a major plus -- the past thirty years have demonstrated that other parties don't have a great record of effectively taking the wishes of the West to account, and typically are willing to damage the west for other ridings. I have to admit, this does tend to be a boon for the Cons in gettingg my vote.

Likewise, while the NDP is an alternative here, they are going to be supported by Quebec and will have a lot of pushing from there to support language laws and so forth. This is already a stated platform of the NDP, and I am not sure I feel right supporting a party continuing the Bloq's work.

"Minorities and Majorities"

I hate majorities.

Doesn't matter who leads them. It could be the NDP, the Cons, the Libs, or a Coalition, I have never been comfortable with a majority government and never will be. It removes one of the main forms of balance our form of government can have, and I would prefer that no party or coalition be given a full mandate.

This means that whether or not a coalition is likely to be formed, or whether or not Harper gets close to a majority in parliament, will heavily influence my vote.

"Economics"

The benefits of a corporate tax cut are there, and they are real. One of the chief losses of income during an economic recession is what is lost in investment, and finding a way to improve investment is a good thing. It is worth keeping in mind that Canadians are not just competing against other G7+Russia countries, but also all other countries out there. Not only that, but other factors than just corporate tax rates influence decisions to make new companies, make new branches or move somewhere entirely. We have to change corporate tax rates to reflect that as well -- ignoring these other factors is willfully ignoring why those are lower, in my mind.

I also cannot ignore that Canada is coming out of the global recession fairly well. If we correct for the effects of the recession, Canada would have run of a small surplus if I remember the reports correctly. This cannot all be attributed to Harper and his government. It also cannot be entirely the cause of someone else's work. I cannot ignore that both the Libs and Cons have some credit reserved for how they worked to help build the country to the way it is in regards to security and stability economically. I also cannot ignore that those two parties have similar plans in regards to saving, even if they are differing spending-wise. Even the NDP seems halfway on board.

"The Important Issues"

Little of what I deem most important is on the platforms of the various parties this year. I doubt they will develop into main issues either. So for me, it's not as if there are major wedge-issues which will decide for me. I've removed myself from the fighter-debate, for example.

For me, it looks like my decision will be made the day I am looking at the ballot, wondering who I should vote for. Until then, I have yet to make a decision otherwise. I doubt any party at this point would drastically change Canada, and I don't think any party could destroy it.

thanks for keeping this thread flame free, its interesting to read peoples personal reasons for their vote.