Is it just me or does this spring provincial election campaign feel really dull? I feel like I am watching a very boring movie where I know the ending. The leaders and the issues feel the same as they have for decades, the familiar polarized arguments continue between the left and the right with no strong refreshing alternative.
My apologies to the Green Party.
It wasn't always that way. As a radio reporter, I would salivate at the drop of the writ. It was my time to shine as a broadcaster. I followed the candidates on the campaign trail, challenging them in scrums while jockeying for a good story angle. It was an exciting time to be journalist.
I reported on the campaigns of Bill Bennett, Bill Vander Zalm, Mike Harcourt, Glen Clark and Gordon Campbell. Reporters were never immune to the charisma and expensive suits of Vander Zalm or the charm of Campbell, but we stayed unbiased and diligent, holding politicians to account.
Back then provincial politics was engaging, so what happened? Political campaigns are increasingly nasty, they have become personal and often deflect from critical issues. Quite frankly, I find campaigns boring and lacking in depth. If I want a cat fight, I can watch Survivor.
I believe my fellow voters feel the same way. Barely over 50 per cent of us came out to vote in the 2013 provincial election. We are jaded, cynical and fatigued by politicians spinning their wheels and the fiasco with our neighbours down south doesn't exactly instill respect for political leaders.
Clearly there are some compelling issues in this campaign like transportation, health care, industry versus environment and, most importantly, the rise of the cost of living in one of Canada's wealthiest provinces.
Housing is off the charts.
All five of our children rent in Vancouver and the cost is barely manageable. Wages are low, and costs are outrageous, especially in our bigger cities.
Think about it: over 100,000 people used a food bank in B.C. last March. With everyday concerns like these this should be an engaging, important election, but it all seems predictable with the Here at home we won't have status quo prevailing. a nail biter like we've had in the past two elections now that popular independent Vicki Huntington has retired. I'd put money on Liberal candidate Ian Paton for the win. He's got the political experience, the roots in our community and a sincerity that we don't often see in politicians. Kudos for the other candidates running in Delta South as anyone willing to put their energy, finances and passion into running for office gets my respect.
While B.C. politics will never be as exciting as Netflix's House of Cards, please get off the couch and vote on Tuesday, May 9. It's a privilege and a duty we should never take for granted, no matter how tired we've become.
Ingrid Abbott is a freelance writer who will enjoy the two-kilometre walk to the polling station, which will burn off 60 calories.
