So far, most of Canada has had very little good, well-moderated debate. There have been efforts to present issues but the media has overly controlled the questions (not to mention who gets to sit at the table) and subsequent dialogue.
The political parties are also relegating themselves to just pointing fingers and dragging up past issues, from Stephen Harper’s invisible debate partner and dry, scripted, droll promises to Michael Ignatieff’s not-so-potent responses that aren’t persuading any more voters toward the left.
The Bloc Quebecois does a good job of putting a strong voice for Quebec into Parliament, but does little else for the rest of Canada as a nation. The NDP is showing slow gains.
I am finding it harder and harder to listen to the empty promises and trash talk.
The one person I listened to the last while was Elizabeth May and I found a lot of her comments more in tune with what a lot of people are asking for. There has to be more proactive debate on issues that everyday people are concerned with. The promises are said each and every day, but how do you propose to govern on vision and constructive capacity building when you are campaigning (bullying?) on fear and trying to convince people their vote is a waste if they vote for whom they believe in?
I find it unsettling, to say the least, and making headway into the morass of misdirection inhibits many from making an informed decision.
That is the intent of at least one party with several others being drawn into the false dialogue.
The single largest issue that has not been brought up at all has been the energy sector and how we are going to deal with climate change.
The North will be one of the most affected regions. Ask the people of Old Crow who have witnessed one of their lakes drain and dry up. Ask the foresters who see the beetles killing more and more stands of trees. Ask the elders who have witnessed nature changing noticeably within one generation. How are we going to deal with an energy deficit in the Yukon? How are we dealing with our food insecurity?
One of the single largest failures of the current federal government has been the lack of accountability or motivation on taking effective steps against climate change. Canadians were embarrassed by our government’s lack of affirmative action at the Climate Exchange in Copenhagen. It appears that just because there are no short-term rewards, politicians find no gratification talking on the subject or taking action. Not a sexy topic for the suits in Ottawa. How are our local candidates willing to face these issues?
Speaking as a food advocate/organic farmer, I was a part of something that will no doubt be a game changer across Canada. The April 18 release of The People’s Food Policy Project was a two-year endeavor based upon thousands of volunteer hours and visits with more than 3,500 people across Canada. Grassroots people around kitchen tables, not government or agri-industry, provided all the resulting content and platform for change.
The document (viewable on http://yukonfood.com/external.htm ) outlines the changes we need to make across Canada for a sustainable food system. I challenge each federal candidate to speak to our need for a national food policy and then tell me how we can do this here in the Yukon. What action will be taken?
In the Yukon, we need debate on these issues and not just a forum with stump speeches. Personally, I need reality in those talks. I have seen nothing in the track records of the Cons/Lib/NDP that suggests that any of them can actually change the things they’re talking about needing to be changed. There has been a lot of very empty rhetoric. Where is the debate and open frank exchange on climate and food issues?
I am truly hoping the CBC will provide a good debate on the 27 and not just another forum.
Wickipedia states “... In debating, one side often prevails over the other side by presenting a superior “context” and/or framework of the issue, which is far more subtle and strategic É. In a formal debating contest, there are rules for people to discuss and decide on differences, within a framework defining how they will interact….”
I ask the CBC to indulge the debate format and allow constructive, respectful point-counterpoint to be made. Help the voters by having a true debate format so people can become informed and not disillusioned.
Make it real, please.
Tom Rudge
Whitehorse