Canada is now in the midst of a federal election campaign. Candidates and political parties are filling our ears, eyes and minds with reasons to vote for them—or at least not for the other guy. Advance polls have already opened.
It’s time to go and vote. But will we?
According to Elections Canada, less than two-thirds of eligible federal voters have cast a ballot in any election so far this century. Turnout has steadily declined in recent decades, driven by voter apathy, disillusionment with politics and a sense that individual votes don’t make a difference. Cynics ask, “Why vote? The government always gets in.”
We should vote because we can. Millions around the world live under regimes where elections are neither free nor fair, if they’re held at all. In many places, people live in fear of what unelected despots might do to them.
In Canada, we have real choices. Our ballots aren’t a sham featuring a single candidate while opposition leaders sit in jail—or worse. Some countries maintain the fiction that their governments enjoy 99 per cent support, but their citizens never had a choice to begin with.
Even if “the government always gets in,” elections still matter. They give us a chance to support a government we like, or to vote for change if we’re not happy. We can hold leaders accountable and, when needed, kick the bums out. That’s a privilege many others around the world can only dream of.
Election day in Canada is peaceful, accessible and orderly. Our voting process protects secrecy, and unlike in many countries, Canadians need not fear punishment for choosing the “wrong” candidate.
Another reason to vote: our elections work. Yes, some results are disputed, and yes, recounts happen. But Canadians trust that ballots will be properly counted, that boxes won’t be stuffed or stolen, and that those who win the most support will form the next government. That trust is a cornerstone of our democracy.
In Canada, elections are followed by peaceful, polite transitions of power. In too many other places, elections spark violence or rebellion. The 2021 riot that followed Joe Biden’s election to the U.S. presidency—when supporters of Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol—was a jarring reminder that even long-standing democracies are not immune to breakdowns when people refuse to accept legitimate results.
Elections also help us engage. They push us to consider what’s working—and what’s not—in our country, and to seek out candidates who reflect our views. It’s a moment to think big and influence Canada’s direction, even in a small way. For first-time voters or newcomers to Canada, participating in an election is a meaningful way to take part in shaping our future.
We should never say our vote doesn’t count. Too many Americans skipped their last presidential election, wrongly assuming their state’s outcome was a foregone conclusion. They’ll likely show up next time, having learned that assumption can carry consequences.
On a more personal note, voting feels good. It connects us to our neighbours and our community. We can volunteer for candidates, work at polling stations or simply show up and proudly wear an “I voted” sticker to encourage others to do the same. That sense of participation is real and rewarding.
And there’s one last reason to vote, uniquely Canadian and undeniably persuasive: If you don’t vote, you forfeit your right to complain about the government.
Dr. Roslyn Kunin is a respected Canadian economist known for her extensive work in economic forecasting, public policy, and labour market analysis. She has held various prominent roles, including serving as the regional director for the federal government’s Department of Employment and Immigration in British Columbia and Yukon and as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Kunin is also recognized for her contributions to economic development, particularly in Western Canada.
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