Two decisions to make

Today is election date. We have two very important decisions to make. The first is to determine who will represent us. In both the Rainy River Record and the Fort Frances Times, we have carried the profiles of the candidates and have written their views on a variety of topics covered in the candidates debate. The choices are clear between the candidates.
The paramount question remains, “Who will best represent us in the legislature at Toronto?” Who of the candidates best understands the needs of the people of Kenora Rainy River.
The second important question that voters must take action on is the question of how elections will take place in the future. We are being offered a choice “First past the Post” our current system, or a new system which will include both a “First past the Post” election and then the appointment of persons to reflect the proportion of votes each party receives in the election. The system is currently used in New Zealand. If we look at the historical results of Ontario elections, with the potential new system , the last time an Ontario political party would have had a majority would date back to Leslie Frost in the early 1950’s.
Every other election in the past fifty years would have ended in a minority and coalitions would have been necessary to govern. Even the party with the most seats may not have been asked to form the government.
It may appear that there is a land slide for the incumbent Howard Hampton if lawn signs are to be believed. However that is not the reason to avoid going out and voting. Other candidates have also expressed their views on topics and issues. Whoever is elected will have to take into consideration the concerns of all voters and not just those of the winning party.
Everyone wins when we vote because with everyone speaking, whoever represents us, will have a clear understanding of the needs of the different voices that they represent.
We live in a country where we get to choose who will govern us and how we will be governed. In the last two weeks, we have witnessed disturbing scenes coming from Myanmar (formerly Burma) where Buddhist monks and the people have taken to the streets to demand a more democratic form of government, only to be beaten, imprisoned or killed. They want a system that we take for granted.
This election we get to choose how we will be governed in the future. That is an important decision.
We also get the chance to tell the legislature about our concerns about our area of the province.
If you have not voted when you read this, you still have time to get to the polls and cast your vote. You get to be heard, something hundreds of millions of people around the world are denied. You can still help determine how we will be governed in the future.
Please don’t pass on democracy.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher