You are probably expecting me to tell you to get out and vote today.
I’m betting there are a lot of new Canadians I don’t have to encourage.
They are probably shocked at the low number of people who do turn out to cast a ballot about their own future.
It might even be sad for them to see people living here, in peace and with a decent standard of living, taking their freedom for granted.
They can tell you about people living under a dictator, who died without ever having a real right to vote.
Newcomers may be the ones attending forums and questioning candidates or even running for office themselves.
Yet, some born here will not bother to cast a ballot.
Some offer a first year university argument on how the freedom to vote also means freedom from voting.
I meet those who are not going to vote because they don’t think council ever listens to the public.
Yet, when I ask if they gave their councillor some direction on bike lanes or the LRT or Northlands or whatever, some didn’t even know their councillor’s name or even what ward they live in.
Is it best they don’t vote?
Let me know what you think.
Bob Layton is the news manager of the Corus Edmonton group of radio stations and a commentator for Global News.
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