Canada has (thankfully) taken steps to move beyond systemic bigotry by enacting reasonable laws to protect minorities of all kinds, from the 1840s to the 21st Century. The Conservative Party can only trace its roots to 1970s Albertan dissatisfaction with the National Energy Program re-distribution of money to the have-not Provinces that couldn't afford modern health care, education and social programs.
The "Social Conservatives" are keeping quiet on their hopes regarding new restrictive legislation on abortion, same sex marriage and other things previous governments decided were best left in the bedrooms of the nation. Social Conservatives are not quiet on their hopes for a Conservative win, knowing their agenda will pop up loudly once (if) the House of Commons is dominated by their peers.
These issues (abortion, same sex marriage) and other forward policies (health care, education and social programs) must therefore be "on the table" right now for people who believe in Human Rights and in equality of treatment and respect, and in obligation and duty toward the less fortunate. These less fortunate include those who have been systematically discriminated against in Canada--the socially, economically and politically disenfranchised.
Are we in Canada, and in this Riding, going to let some political party swing around and hit women, gays, immigrants (from whom almost all Canadians are descended) and less-wealthy Provinces with regressive laws designed to protect a narrow, dated view of what a good Judeo-Christian, self-absorbed small-town culture is? I doubt the Conservatives will gladly push hard-won freedoms like Choice and Marriage forward. Division of Church (read Religion) and State is a fundamental part of Democracy under the British Parliamentary System we inherited.
Why would any modern Canadian want to turn back the clock on Canadians less fortunate than the ones in the wealthiest parts? Why would any modern Canadian want to give the Conservative Party a chance to turn back the clock?
If we all have to hold our noses and Vote strategically for the Liberals, at least our values of fairness and justice will be better protected.
The "Social Conservatives" are keeping quiet on their hopes regarding new restrictive legislation on abortion, same sex marriage and other things previous governments decided were best left in the bedrooms of the nation. Social Conservatives are not quiet on their hopes for a Conservative win, knowing their agenda will pop up loudly once (if) the House of Commons is dominated by their peers.
These issues (abortion, same sex marriage) and other forward policies (health care, education and social programs) must therefore be "on the table" right now for people who believe in Human Rights and in equality of treatment and respect, and in obligation and duty toward the less fortunate. These less fortunate include those who have been systematically discriminated against in Canada--the socially, economically and politically disenfranchised.
Are we in Canada, and in this Riding, going to let some political party swing around and hit women, gays, immigrants (from whom almost all Canadians are descended) and less-wealthy Provinces with regressive laws designed to protect a narrow, dated view of what a good Judeo-Christian, self-absorbed small-town culture is? I doubt the Conservatives will gladly push hard-won freedoms like Choice and Marriage forward. Division of Church (read Religion) and State is a fundamental part of Democracy under the British Parliamentary System we inherited.
Why would any modern Canadian want to turn back the clock on Canadians less fortunate than the ones in the wealthiest parts? Why would any modern Canadian want to give the Conservative Party a chance to turn back the clock?
If we all have to hold our noses and Vote strategically for the Liberals, at least our values of fairness and justice will be better protected.
