Federal election campaigns are much more than sound bites from party leaders

I have quite deliberately ignored the federal election campaign until now. It made no sense to write about leaders who talked too much about nothing during the month of August, when no voters were paying attention anyway. However, it is now time to share a few thoughts. This is my column published in the Friday edition of The Peace Arch News and Surrey-North Delta Leader.

Although the federal election has legally been under way since Aug. 2, it only really began in earnest this week.

There was one leaders’ debate in August, the details of which no one can now recall.  There were very few signs up in August, and they were ignored by almost everyone. Attempts by candidates to portray themselves as saints and their opponents from other parties as the worst types of sinners have, for the most part, gone unheard.

Far too much media attention focuses on party leaders. This is not only unhealthy for democracy, as it makes leaders think they are in charge of the entire campaign and every aspect of their parties, but it also ignores reality. We vote for candidates in our own ridings. We elect them as our representatives in Ottawa. They are far more than just puppets on a string, controlled by a leader and his aides.

Surrey and Delta have had many good MPs over the years, from six different political parties – Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Social Credit, Reform and Canadian Alliance. Surrey North voters also elected Chuck Cadman as an independent in 2004, and that was a decision that is actually very relevant to this election.

In October, people living in this area will elect six MPs, who will go to Ottawa. It is quite likely they will be part of some high-stakes drama when they arrive, as current polling results indicate no party will gain a majority in Parliament. This is good for democracy, as it means that no leader can act as an absolute dictator, as happened far too much in our particular Parliament.

This trend started in earnest under Pierre Trudeau, who famously said MPs were nobodies when they were a few yards off Parliament Hill. Brian Mulroney eased up a bit, but Jean Chretien did Trudeau one better, and Stephen Harper is far more controlling than Chretien was.

In a minority Parliament, leaders have to be much more careful how they treat their own MPs. Independents and parties with a few seats, which will likely be the case for the Greens and Bloc Quebecois, will have a significant role to play.

It seems likely at this juncture that Surrey and Delta will elect Conservative and NDP MPs, and possibly a Liberal. Former MP Sukh Dhaliwal has a decent chance to win re-election after a four-year absence from Ottawa. He is running in the riding of Surrey-Newton. He will be competing against incumbent NDP MP Jinny Sims and Conservative candidate Harpreet Singh, and all three have a decent shot at the seat.

Given that there is likely to be a minority parliament, electing MPs of character who will do more than just bow meekly to their leaders’ orders seems to make sense. It is entirely possible that decisions in Ottawa will come down to one vote. That’s what happened in 2005, when Cadman’s vote was the deciding one in the Paul Martin Liberal government surviving.

Unfortunately, Cadman was already battling cancer at that time and he did not live much longer. His integrity and willingness to run as an independent after losing the Conservative nomination set a high standard for future Surrey MPs.

There will be plenty of chances to find out more about the candidates for the three major parties in the six local ridings ­- in person, in print or via the airwaves, or via the internet. They’re worth checking out in detail.

People who have moved should also start the process of ensuring they are on the voters’ list and can vote in this election. This is particularly worth doing because of changes which have tightened up voting eligibility.

Despite the negativity from many politicians, Canada is a great place to live and we have the a privilege of electing our individual MPs to the next Parliament which we should not take for granted. Take the process seriously. Do not believe most of what you hear from politicians (of all parties) and take the time to research the candidates, so your vote will truly count on Oct. 19.
I'd like to add a few thoughts about Langley, Abbotsford and Mission ridings. Two incumbent MPs, Mark Warawa and Ed Fast, are seeking re-election for the Conservatives, and it seems both won't have too much trouble winning again. The Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon riding has some interesting demographics and may be more of a contest.
In the Cloverdale-Langley City riding, which is part Surrey and part Langley City (with a tiny bit of the Township added), past election results indicate the Conservatives should win. However, John Aldag of the Liberals is a solid candidate, has worked hard and will likely benefit from national trends. There are a huge number of new residents as well. Nonetheless, it will be an uphill battle to win in an area the Conservatives (and Canadian Alliance, Reform and Progressive Conservatives) have owned for four decades.