When I was a kid, I got bugged a lot because of my initials.
I wish I were as smart as my son. His first name also starts with a B. I asked him if he was ever teased because of it, and his response was, "No, I just tell people I can smell it a mile away." That's been my feeling for the last couple of weeks, since the federal election was called. It had been a bit of the Wild West with all the special interest group advertising. For the price of airtime, they can get in the media and say whatever they want. So now we have a longer election period.
What really gets my "initials meter" running is the complaining about the cost of a longer election. We wanted fixed election dates, we got them, and this is the result. Mark my words, the next prime minister will drop the writ early too, because the same thing will happen in 2019.
But, oh, the cost! We'll be wasting money on an extended election! Yes, it will cost more. People need to be hired for a longer period as election officials, returning offices need to be rented for twice as long as usual. And while contributions to all parties will rise since they are rebated a portion of their expenses, government advertising stops, so that offsets part of the rebate. In reality, the government ad budget goes from helping the incumbent to helping all parties. Share the expense, share the blame.
Where does most of the money for an election go? People are hired by Elections Canada. Political parties buy media from newspapers, radio and TV stations that employ local people. Printers making signs might have to staff up to get them done on time. But regardless of the length of the campaign, the vast majority of the money is spent on one day - election day - for polling clerks. It's short term, but the money stays in Canada, going back into our economy.
There are lots of different people who work as polling clerks. Some are seniors, some are students, some that are looking for work but could use a bit of money to help make ends meet. These are the people the politicians say they are out to help. Yet at the same time, many politicians complain about the cost of an election. At least this way we are getting a service back for the tax money being used. That doesn't sound like waste to me.
I worked as a polling clerk in the last federal election and the last two provincial elections. I get to see my neighbours and maybe meet some new people as well. It's a long day, but incredibly interesting, and I make a few bucks at the same time. It's not a lot of money, but to see our democracy in action is very gratifying.
With fixed dates, our elections will never be as they were. If added cost is the problem, eliminate the rebate to all parties for election expenses. And be honest about money being "wasted."
It's called the price of democracy. And it's a price well worth paying. The alternative stinks even more.
Brad Sherwin, MBA has over 25 years experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He is currently the director of marketing for a national non-profit organization.
