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A Priviledge or Duty?

              I believe that voting has lost its luster with the greater part of Canadians who have lost sight of what the true meaning of voting in Canada represents. When our country was still in its early stages, most were denied the ability to vote save a group of select men. Just as our soldiers fought in the world wars for Canadian recognition as a country apart from Great Britain; so did many Canadians fight for equality and freedom for all races and genders. Most recognized for their parts are Nellie Mclung for women’s right to vote, John Diefenbaker for Native voting rights, and Agnes Macphail for youth voting privileges. The fight for all Canadians’ right to vote has continued into the last few decades where others have fought for the voting rights of the impaired and for those of prisoners. These very people and outcomes have helped shape Canada into the free and democratic society that it is.

              Many fail to recognize the lengths that people have gone to allow us this right. Voting in Canada is a right not a freedom, plain and simple. However, I do not feel that it would be just for the government to “require” citizens to vote. Freedom of association, expression and thought are fundamental freedoms outlined in our Charter. If someone chooses not to be associated with any of the parties as they feel none of them represent them, then it is their freedom to do so. A government should be readily elected by the people, like in the general election of 1958 where Diefenbaker’s government was re-elected and voter turnout was a record-high seventy-nine point four percent. I believe that today’s low voter turnout is due to poor government leaders and a loss of faith in supposed go-getter officials. Government representatives have ceased to spark Canadian patriotism and pride towards Parliament; what with on-going scandals, frivolous changes in laws and unfulfilled promises. Rather than focusing policies on compulsory voting, our government needs to focus on bettering its image in the public eye by giving us real results, and earning back our trust and revive the spirit of Canadian democracy.

             Only fifty-two point six percent of eligible voters cast a ballot according to the numbers released by Elections Ontario for the past election on October 10th, 2007. It is sad to think that many fail to exercise their civic right by choosing not to vote, when many in other countries would die to have their opinions heard. For some new immigrants in Canada, it is their first time voting and an entrance into a whole new political world where they have the opportunity to support their chosen leader who shares their ideals. Many of us have forgotten these feelings of pride and civic duty that are associated with voting, and the question is why did these feelings fade and how can they be revitalized? These two factors are what the government needs to focus on rather than trying to find a quick fix.