As citizens in a country like Canada, we get to enjoy a number of perks: universal healthcare, reasonably affordable post-secondary education and, compared to our southern neighbours, a far less toxic political climate.
In exchange for these perks, we have responsibilities we have to live up to as citizens.
The first responsibility, unsurprisingly, is that we have to pay taxes. Not too many people abdicate that responsibility because the government is pretty good at keeping tabs on who owes them money.
The second responsibility is to obey the laws of the land. The prospect of a jail term seems to serve as a fairly effective way to ensure compliance.
But the other responsibility is one that’s overlooked far too often: educating ourselves about our representatives.
Too many people see election time as a nuisance where they have to rearrange their daily schedule to cast a ballot that – in their opinion – will change little.
It’s a common refrain in any jurisdiction: “Our elected officials aren’t doing enough!”
Even here in the Pontiac you hear it. Even if it is a refrain that causes outsiders to scratch their heads.
Many people in the Pontiac, and around the province, are up in arms about the amalgamation of the healthcare system and have blamed the current Liberal government. It’s just one of many things hampering the province’s governing party.
This has led to a strong desire to see the Liberals in general – and former Health Minister Gaétan Barette in particular – ousted.
But the Pontiac is represented by André Fortin, a cabinet minister and one of the most prominent politicians from the Pontiac in a long time.
If people in the region are keen to show the Liberals the door, they risk losing a representative who has delivered on several projects and could deliver on more if his party stays in power.
So, it’s a delicate decision that Pontiac residents are left with.
Sure, it’s nice that Hwy. 148 has seen some improvement and that the dialysis unit is weeks away from getting up and running. But is the grass greener on the other side?
It is said that Canadians don’t vote for candidates so much as they vote against others.
In order to figure out where you stand on these issues, you’ll have to do some research and weigh the options.
Although it might sound boring to pore over campaign websites to see what each candidate stands for, especially with the distinct possibility that they won’t deliver on their campaign promises, it’s the least we can do.
Regardless of how eye-glazing it sounds, it’s important.
Does anyone think paying taxes is fun?
*Crickets*
That’s what I thought.
But we all agree it’s important. Of course, the prospect of getting charged with tax evasion helps us comply, but still.
In the grand scheme of things, we Canadians have it easy. We don’t have mandatory military service, heck, we don’t even have mandatory voting.
Despite the relatively easy ride we get to enjoy, we neglect our civic duty as electors far too often, just look at the voter turnout for any recent election.
Paying taxes isn’t fun, but we have to do it – it’s our responsibility.
Same goes for knowing who you’re voting for and why. It’s not fun, but it’s our responsibility.
Chris Lowrey
