The Canadian federal election is over and it’s time to move on with our lives
By Cazzy Lewchuk, Staff Writer
As I write this, the federal election is only a few days away. Tensions have never been higher as Canada rallies to end (or maintain) Stephen Harper’s reign. All three major parties, along with the Green Party, are in a battle at both a federal and individual level, filled with arguments, debates, and angry speculations on the future of the Canadian government.
However, by the time this is published, the election will be over. Canada will most likely have a new government: a Liberal majority, minority, NDP opposition, Conservative minority, or perhaps even another Conservative majority. Regardless of what happens, it will both delight and anger millions of citizens, depending on their political leanings. Angry Facebook posts, op-eds in newspapers, and threats of moving to Europe will dominate the media for a couple of weeks. But as always, we’ll grow tired of complaining and move on with our lives—and that’s how it should be.
Politics are important, affecting the future of the citizens and the country in many ways. But they are not everything. Believe it or not, Harper’s alleged reign of terror does not significantly affect your life 95 per cent of the time. Neither does Justin Trudeau’s alleged wishy-washy closeted conservative views, nor Thomas Mulcair’s alleged tyrannical ones. The politics in Ottawa are complicated, democratic, and drawn-out. One election or leader does not determine the future of 35 million people. Factors on a provincial, local, or even individual level are much more important in determining one’s future. It’s all about taking personal responsibility and not blaming the government for everything wrong in the country.
Do political processes screw us over? Absolutely. This is true on some level for every party. Are national issues regulated and debated by hundreds of politicians something you know the definitive answers to? Absolutely not. Is it worth the time and effort worrying about what has happened or will happen in Parliament after the election is over? Certainly not.
Talking about our future and encouraging political participation (primarily by voting) during an election period is great. But worrying about the political future every day and consistently arguing with peers after it’s over can do more harm than good. Partisan views ultimately divide us from working towards a better society through mutual cooperation. If we seek to understand each other through having educated viewpoints, compromising, and respecting differing opinions, we can work towards a better society.
Your taking care of your life and wellbeing: is it really a federal or provincial responsibility, or something best done on your own?
