I am also very concerned about the Canadian election (I'm from Ontario, how about you?) The only thing I've heard from the media and most other people about this election so far, is how much of a waste of money/hassle it is to have one so soon. But, as I'm sure you agree, that was not my first thought. My first thought was that hopefully we can get this Conservative government out of power. The Conservative party didn't use to scare me (for the readers who aren't up on Canada, even our right wing is fairly centrist). But ever since the Conservatives merged with the Alliance, the religious right seems to be more of a concern.

Bill C-484 was the first thing I ever got politically 'active' about. I wrote emails to Dion, Harper and my MP (Conservative, unfortunately) urging them not to support this bill. Dion was the only one whose office got back to me, saying that he would be working to defeat this bill (yay). Somewhat related, I was so proud of my country when Dr. Morgentaler received the Order of Canada and was dismayed to hear all the backlash. I mailed a physical letter to our Governor General telling her she did the right thing.

Anyways, back to the election. I am afraid that they same thing that happened in the last election will occur. The majority of Canadians will split the votes between the Liberals and the NDP, and we will end up with either a Liberal or Conservative minority. I don't know the solution to that problem, anyone else have any ideas?

I am also from Ontario, although in an interesting position now. Having spent the majority of my life in Northern Ontario, I have just moved from Thunder Bay to Ottawa, and I am working to understand the issues that are important in Ottawa, since Northern Ontario always had such unique concerns. Sadly, I only have a month to do this! Eep!

I agree with your statement that Conservative used to be not so concerning. In fact, pre-merge, under the control of Joe Clark, there might have been a good chance I would have voted PC (had been old enough to vote at the time....lol). For myself, I have to balance some party-conflicting viewpoints. Socially, I lean to the extreme left, with no party who represents that ideal really, but fiscally, I find myself taking a slightly more conservative stance...although my values about where money should go are quite different than those of either the Conservative or Liberal party.

Unfortunately, my party of choice for this election is not running a candidate in my riding this year. Even in our officially multi-party system, it always feels like our choices are so limited. As a concerned citizen and a graduate from Political Science, I feel very strongly about voting...I just don't want to vote for whoever.

I think for many (leftist) Canadian voters the question becomes, should you really stick to the party you believe best reflects your values, should you vote Liberal so as not to split the vote, or should cast a blank ballot? It's a difficult decision for many people I believe.

What I don't like about this election is that, so far, it's all about the personality of the maybe future Prime Minister. I know image is important but geez, I'm not voting for who is the best-looking or most charismatic PM, I'm voting for a party and its platform. And so far, I've only heard about Dion's green plan and Harper's taxes... as if lower taxes would make me forget Harper cut funds for art and culture programs, decided that Kyoto was a no-go, created Bill C-10 (to deny funding for films and TV shows it considers offensive), etc.

Your last question, clarityprint, sums up perfectly what I'm thinking in terms of who I should vote for.

And maybe not as bad as C-484, C-537 might also lead to all kinds of problems... This is the description found on the Parliament website:
"This enactment protects the right of health care practitioners and other persons to refuse, without fear of reprisal or other discriminatory coercion, to participate in medical procedures that offend a tenet of their religion, or their belief that human life is inviolable."

Seriously, the state of apathy we are currently experiencing in both countries is out of control. What happened? As a Canadian living in the US and observing the political events of recent months its like looking into a mirror facing another mirror, and keeps going and going in a twisted fun-house sort of way.

I am not suprised that Stephen Harper called an early election, just as the United States is gearing up for theirs. If feels a little like there is a subversive powerplay happening that we're not fully in on.

Abortion, Palin, Iraq, fuck, it's almost enough to make you cry.

Rajura,

Thanks for putting C-537 out there. I had not heard about it, and it is indeed concerning. Its good to get as much of this stuff out in the open as we can...especially with the very short time we have before election day.
As for the voting, at this current time, I think I am leaning towards casting a blank ballot...exercising my civic duty and voice, but letting all the candidates know that they need to step up their game.

Jenn Astle- My partner and I have also discussed Harper's need to call an election this time, and we believe it is quite largely related to the american election as well. Considering there is a good chance that the US government will take a centrist/leftist turn, Harper is probably concerned about that impact on Canada-US relations, and how it would affect him were Obama to be elected. A Liberal government in the states would surely impact Canadian perceptions on the relationship between our two countries, and lead to questions about who is going to be best to ease tensions between US.

I have concerns right now, about Harper, and if he is going to implement further tax cuts. While some families might appreciate the relief, it does mean that he has further excuse to cut funding to the social programs that Canada has long prided itself on.

Stephen Harper being voted into power was the most disappointing political turn this country has taken in my opinion. He's trying to turn us into America Jr. and I am not happy about it. His policies regarding the arts, social programs, and of course abortion rights and gay rights and a whole plethora of other things have made me feel as if Canada has gone all too quickly from a rather Leftist place to somewhere where I barely feel welcome any more.
I usually vote NDP and probably will again this year, because they are the only party who I feel at least tries to tackle issues I care about (considering that they have limited power to make much change in their position). I grew up in Northern Ontario in a mostly working class town where the NDP held our seat for most of the time I was growing up, and they ran things well.
However, they definitely are just the lesser of evils if I'm being honest... I want to believe that they'd make change if somehow they were in power but they're still politicians so it's not very likely... I'm just going to be really really angry and sad if the Con's are in power again... they've turned our unique political identity as Canadians into a thing of the past.

Also I think Stephen Harper is a cyborg put in power by Bush's people to mess with us.... but that might just be me.... hahha, kidding. But he does creep me out, he sucks up to the States wayyyy too much.