With the coming Canadian election approaching us on October 16th 2015 I wanted to take a moment to talk about voting and politics.

As a young adult I never had any interest in politics. I just didn’t understand  , never did the research of get involved.  I had no interest and found it all confusing and daunting.

As I grew older and got more involved in the PKU community I began to see things differently. The more I got involved and the more I heard the voices of others around me, I learnt the importance my voice could carry if used right. My experiences in public speaking, awarness and advocacy efforts with CanPKU taught me a lot about politics and how to work towards change. I’ve attended parliament with CanPKU and spoke at the legislator to politicians, I have written campaign letters and done petitions and I have done my research into each party and what their platforms are.

It was not until the last provincial election that I really got involved. After years of watching and listening and researching and learning how to talk to politicians how to ask and how to deal with them I reached out to our MLA candidates about why I should vote for them in the provincial election? Just how would they help someone like me?  Most of my letters and emails went unanswered or dismissed.  I requested meetings with each member. One MLA called me and we talked on the phone. However one MLA did answer my request. Our now BC Health Minister Terry Lake met with me for 2 hours! It was such a positive experience and meeting that The honourable Terry Lake earned my respect and my vote. After the election he was named the health minister and shortly after we received low protein food subsidy for all PKU patients in BC.

Since my experience with Terry, I have followed his career as health minister not only for PKU but because I am a nurse. I work as an part time Licensed practical nurse in an extended care hospital for the elderly. I follow the issues in health care and the politicians promises and platforms on how they will or how they plan to make a difference.

I follow other social issues now, things that effect myself, my PKU community, my health care community, my fellow nurses, my family, and what effects cole and I personally. I have taken time to understand my beliefs and views . I know what issues I think need to be changed. We watch the news and watch the debates when we can.

I really believe the more voices that join together and tell our government what we want the more change we can make in our beautiful nation. I find it irritating and frustrating that so many people choose not to vote. I am writing this post today to encourage everyone to get involved. to take the time, be interested, do the research the parties , the leaders and the platforms. Find where you stand and who you side with. Look at the issues that effect you , or that you are about. What drives your passion, and understand the way voting and government works.

All to often I hear people say they won’t vote because they don’t like the options, that it comes down to the lesser of the evils, or that there voice won’t matter. All voices matter. The more of you that vote depending on what party you choose, the better the chances of that party getting into power there is.

There are some great links online to help you understand.

Here are 2 of my favorites.

Strategic Voting 2015 Canadian Federal Election

http://www.strategicvoting.ca/

 

and :

Canadian Election Quiz, I side with.com

https://canada.isidewith.com/political-quiz

i found the second link to be extremely helpful as it showed me what issues where the most important to me and how much I agreed with each party in percentages.

Dont get me wrong, there are pros and cons to each party. There are things I like about each and things I hate about each. I am currently torn between 2 parties but am leading more closely to another.

When making my decision I also look at the party leaders. Who I feel would make a better leader. I also look at the past track records, and development of past issues and how they where changes or not changed. I also look to the future as some things we face today we have never faced before. I look at the promises and the facts. I also look critically at the adds, specially the attack ads.  I have no respect for the attack adds. It seems to me only one party is truly advertising and has not openly attacked another party in an add. I look at facts, science, and my community. I look at what affects me at work, at home, and in my province.

Voting is  a right, a responsibility and an honour years ago women did not have. So please take the time to research and exercise your vote. its simple and has more impact than you can know right now!

It is time for Change in Canada and I am calling on all of you to get out in vote!