Our participation in the next election

We are going to the poll again. The fourth time in seven years! There appears to be some reluctance in some sectors about this up and coming election. It will cost the Canadian people about three hundred million to finance an election. But this usually happens when there is a minority government. A minority government can be toppled anytime when the opposition parties are dissatisfied.
This minority government is luckier than most. Remember the Clark Government? A mere negligence in counting the numbers of party members present in Parliament defeated that government. The series of unfortunate incidents with some of its ministers, the news of fraud, scandals lately and the most recent budget all combined together to have enough reasons for the opposing parties to force an election.
But are these reasons enough to bring about change? There seems to be no public opinion strong enough to predict which party will lead the Canadian government after this election. So much can happen in the next five weeks.
The Canadian people like most of the people of the world have been preoccupied by recent events like the Japan earthquake and Tsunami and the instabilities in the Middle East, especially in Egypt, Libya and Afghanistan to be bothered by local politics.
Most of the people including myself are very thankful that we live in a safe country where prices of our primary needs are within our capacity and social agencies are available for those who are in need of assistance. Everybody, even the homeless, was extremely touched by the natural disasters in Japan that the hat is being passed around to gather assistance, no matter how small, to send to the surviving victims.
But let us wake up to the realities in our midst. This coming election will affect all of us. Let us put aside our seeming indifference and participate in this democratic process that gives us the opportunity to be heard. Ours is a government of the people for the people and by the people. Let us make that true in this coming election.
A considerable number of residents and citizens of this country have demonstrated how a democratic government works. They are vigilant about their rights. They complain to the proper authorities when they think their rights are being violated or that services which make use of their tax dollars can be improved.
Just note how public transportation has been made up to the state of the art by announcing every station stop so that even the blind would not miss his destination. We have heard of the member of the staff caught sleeping in the fare booth or the bus operator texting while driving. They were reported and corrected.
The young and able may not notice it but someone of my age greatly appreciates the “kneeling bus” that has a platform that can be lowered. People complain about potholes in the streets and they are usually attended to. One can even complain and get compensation if he or she can prove that his/her car was damaged by a pothole.
We pay taxes and we see where our taxes go. Our children get education they deserve; we get relatively good health care; the aged gets old age pensions and in general we are relatively kept safe by able police forces.
With all of these things that the government organizes and executes for its people, there are still advocacy groups working actively, demonstrating and lobbying for the improvement of conditions for the poor, for better health care, defending the rights of First Nation people, more attention for the welfare of the growing number of senior citizens, equity for women, abolition of discrimination and increased protection of the natural environment. These advocates keep the leaders of the country on their toes with regard to attending to the diverse needs of this multicultural country.
In order to be able to achieve the maximum benefits for all groups, the country needs leaders who are selfless, committed, knowledgeable, honest, and compassionate. And this is how democracy works. The people whom this government serves elect the leaders that will represent them.
This is a serious task. The electors need to know their candidates. They have to understand these candidates’ platforms and assess the sincerity in achieving their goals. The gift of gab is not enough. Skills, experience and soundness of judgement are important considerations.
The Filipino experience in politics from the country of origin especially for those who came from rural areas is quite different from the political situations here in Canada. Voters are often influenced by the power of landowners for whom the tenants work a remnant of the old age feudalism. Even in the urban areas especially after the formation of the barangay during the Marcos regime, the influence of those who are close to the power wielders still affect the election results. This is the source of corruption in government. The candidates, once elected need to fulfill promises to those who helped them achieve their position of power.
There is more individual and independent thinking and deciding as to whom one has to vote in elections here in Canada. It cannot be denied that some candidates are supported by certain groups but for whom one has to vote is less. People think in terms of group issues rather than what a particular individual would gain if a certain candidate is elected. There may be some kinds of influence peddling but it is not rampant.
Among the ethnocultural groups, being able to elect one of the members is the means by which they have themselves represented. Filipinos in Manitoba have been successful in accomplishing this goal. There are more Filipinos in Ontario and in British Columbia and there is no shortage of able leaders in our midst. We can put representatives in the Canadian Parliament if we are sufficiently organized and united in pursuing that goal.
Most members of different ethnocultural groups especially those who have not been in the country very long are pre-occupied in earning a living that they have very little time for politics. But awareness for the need for participation is at present a must, if this country will remain truly democratic. Its population growth depends more on immigration rather than on birth rate. Its government should represent the realities of its mosaic.
The country needs members in its Parliament that are genuinely aware of the needs of the ethnocultural communities. The demand for more and effective settlement organizations seem to be of little priority at present as seen in the slash of budget for such purpose lately. Promises had been made to improve the situation of live –in caregivers, but they have remained as promises.
Let us define the issues that are of most concern among us and find candidates who would bring them to the Canadian Parliament for resolution. This is the way we can be heard in this democracy – through our representatives that we elected to represent us. We have no right to complain if our needs are not heard in the Canadian government if we did not participate in sending the representatives that will be our voice in expressing those needs.