Calling an election no one wanted, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau made the snap decision to call a federal election which will see Canadians head to the polls on Sept. 20.
Smelling an opportunity to form a majority government, Trudeau made the announcement from the podium in front of Rideau Hall on Sunday (Aug. 15).
The federal Liberal Party has been ahead in national polls in recent weeks, with a margin wide enough to potentially form a majority government.
“The decisions your government makes right now will define the future your kids and grandkids grow up in,” he said. “Who wouldn’t want the chance to decide where our country goes from here?”
The announcement has drawn criticism from NDP and Conservative leadership, who have warned the election is a “power grab,” by the Liberals and could potentially risk Canada’s gains against COVID-19.
The hypocrisy of the announcement is clear— With one hand Trudeau is warning Canadians to be cautious in the face of a potential fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the other hand tells us to head out and vote like everything is fine.
Canadians have been questioning the decision as well, nationally and locally.
While the federal election will take up most of the airwaves and column inches in the coming weeks, it is important to ensure that voters drive the issues that matter to them.
Politicians will try and set the narrative and tell Canadians what matters to them.
Federal elections can be exciting to witness, and will surely overshadow our own municipal election, but it is important to remember what will have the largest impact on your lives. Do your research and focus on what issues and concerns are most important to you.
This same philosophy also applies to our upcoming municipal election on Oct. 18.
Do not let the federal election overshadow the Cochrane election race, because municipal governments have a large impact on residents' daily lives.
From property taxes and service fees, to recreational spaces and infrastructure, it all falls on the shoulders of your local representatives.
Both elections are important, especially when considering the course we set through the remainder of the pandemic, and deserve equal attention. Fatigue could very well play a part in a voter turnout in Cochrane, but it is important for citizens to have a say in the courses our governments chart— Federally and locally.
