As BC readers know, we’re electing a new provincial government on May 12. I confess my general ignorance about provincial politics. I don’t have that much attention to give to politics generally, and I usually exhaust that on federal and international issues. Combine that with our having been recently out of the country for a year, and I have very few opinions about who to vote for next week. I’m a little ashamed of that, but what’re you going to do?
So here’s your opportunity to convince me to vote for your party of choice. I’m not particularly interested in opposition-bashing. I’d prefer to hear about platforms, policies and initiatives that align with your values and vision for the province.
I have a slight bias against the NDP (I’m not a fan of unions) and for the Green Party, but neither seem overwhelming in this case.
Leave a comment and fire away. If you’re disinclined to comment, here’s a poll:
Who should Darren vote for?(poll)
I don’t actually guarantee that I’ll vote for who wins the poll, but I thought it’d be fun to take your temperature nonetheless.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Hi Darren,
I agree it’s a difficult decision. Politics doesn’t interest me much either. However, I do believe the Green Party is moving us in the right direction. A few years ago, people used to laugh at me when I said I was voting green.
“They’ll never win,” friends and family would say. However, I know that each vote helps a party grow. So, even if they don’t win… I’m showing my support and helping them gain momentum and funding.
Here is a quick snapshot of the Green Party’s platform off their website that sums things up nicely. http://votefortomorrow.ca/
Looking Forward
Most political parties base their plans on one looming event — the next election, and one aim — staying in power.
The Green Party is different. We look much further forward, and we plan for a far greater goal — a livable world, with enough for everyone, with healthy communities based on healthy economies; secure for future generations.
The most urgent threat is the climate crisis. We must move to a low-carbon economy and dramatically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. We can do this in ways that enhance Canada’s economy and the wellbeing of Canadians.
We must also invest in peace.
And we must shockproof our society against unforeseeable events by building in resilience.
In energy, that means relying increasingly on decentralized renewable power and less on mega-project generators. In social policy, it means realizing that looking out for one another is as important as breathable air, drinkable water and healthy food.
The Green Party faces the major threats of our time – the climate crisis, economic instability, increasing militarism and a growing gap between rich and poor — with clear-eyed realism. It offers practical solutions — down-to-earth policies. We want to engage Canadians in the positive changes essential to bequeath a livable world to our children.
why are you not a big fan of unions? just curious, my dad’s in one so i’ve never heard the other ‘side’ of the debate
The quick answer is that, for the most part, they’re a 19th century institution in a 21st century world. I’m no expert, but it’s my impression that they were important in an industrial revolution-type, non-flat world with less regulation and oversight and a far more stationary workforce with far fewer options.
Today, I see unions as impractical mastodons from another era. In my personal experience (I worked in one for a couple of years right out of university), they discourage innovation and achievement, and reward mediocrity and the status quo.
There’s probably an occasional role for unions in the developed world, though I can’t think what that might be. I suspect they have a crucial role to play in the developing world.
I think the liberal have done enough damage in the last, what, 8 years? Living in Alberta I can tell you that BC (and being a former BCer) doesn’t need to be more like Alberta, and that’s where they’re headed. Privatizing public utilities like BC Hydro is unacceptable and it’s just the start.
Hey Darren,
I don’t know if I can sway your opinion one way or the other, but if you are interested, we have just completed our own local poll looking at voting intentions of residents in Victoria and area. You can check out what others are thinking by downloading the pdf at http://www.agencyresearch.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4. Our results are showing the NDP with a solid lead, which is not surprising considering that the area tends to be more left leaning in the first place. This particular poll was conducted online and promoted virtually entirely with social media (read no budget) so I cannot make any claims as to the representativeness of the data, but I think the picture is fair.
When asked how they felt about a number of factors in terms of their importance in deciding how to cast their vote, the factor that rated the highest among our participants (87% rated important or very important) was the strengths of the party platform. On the flip-side, far fewer (63%) felt that the strengths of the local candidate was deserving of the same level of importance. I would have to say that this is where I personally may differ. The local candidate will be (or should be) the one who has the power to speak for you and represent your voice. I always try to investigate not just what the local candidates represent, but who they are and how they plan to bring my voice to the fore.
In terms of which party to support, as a researcher dabbling as a “pollster” I will stay out of that debate. Whatever you do, just VOTE.
Kim
Voting for BC-STV is more important then your riding vote this time around in my opinion.
BC-STV will give you way more choice in future provincial elections.
I’m definitely voting in favour of the STV.
Personally I vote for a person not a party. And I too don’t fully grasp all the issues at play but generally don’t feel most parties are really that different in terms of policy. They will say whatever it takes to get elected.
What varies though is an individual leader’s ability to actually get things done beyond get themselves elected. Campbell has a pretty impressive list of specific examples of things he has got government to do while in office. Win the games, build the convention center, build bridges, get federal money to pay for the Canada Line, upgrade Hwy 99, etc. These are challenging projects to actually get through government and put on the ground employing citizens of BC and providing us with legacy.
When looking at the other two candidates not a single specific example comes to mind of something they have done. Apart from print up campaign signs and engineer slogans tearing down what Campbell has done.
In my opinion, BC’s had mostly miserable governments over the past 30 years with the current Campbell government being the only exception. Unlike all of their predecessors (especially in the NDP governments), they’ve been relatively free of destabilizing scandals and have brought this province back to a level of prosperity that we haven’t seen in a long time.
I think people forget way too quickly the things that were happening in this province in the 80’s and 90’s. But, I guess if you choose to forget about history, you’re always welcome to repeat it.
Just move to Mississauga. You’ll be just fine.
I fully support the NDP. I also support the concept of “unions” and have belonged to the BCTF for 18 years. Unions are not “perfect” and have their problems, but so do private sector systems. I’ve seen far too many people be retained and protected by the union, when they should have been fired…. but I’ve also seen many members protected from discrimination, and in the case of teaching, class sizes have been lowered over the years because of the union negotiations.
Unions aside, I like that the NDP platform includes a moratorium on sale of BC rivers and streams. I worked for the GVRD parks department as a naturalist for 2 years, and I know the value of owning and protecting our rivers and streams.. huge.
I agree with Dustin. Vote whichever major party platform hews best to your views, but vote for BC-STV, which will let you vote Green next time with a chance of their getting some seats.