How was your weekend?
I strategically chose to cast my ballot in the advance polls of our federal election first thing yesterday (Sunday) morning for two reasons. First, it was the best time given the record turnout on Friday and Saturday, and second, the location was right next to our grocery store, so it seemed like a perfect stacking of weekend duties.
Of course, I didn’t factor in the holiday weekend, so the grocer was closed, and I ended up with one item unchecked off my list.
At 8:53 a.m., the soon-to-open polling station had a short line of keeners. At 8:59:50, an enthusiastic electoral official opened the door and energized us with a countdown from ten to one, announcing our official admittance. She was in great spirits as she talked about the weekend rush. The massive turnout energized her. Who doesn’t want to have meaning in their work?
I hope the massive early voting turnout continues until the official election day of April 28th. The global stage and the reshaping of the party leadership have energized Canadians to cast their ballots. This isn’t as much a national election as a referendum on our sovereignty.
Let’s not lose this moment, Canada.
The other day, I was chatting with an acquaintance who is a leading activist in the challenging world of food insecurity. This was only our third meeting and just the second 1:1 we had, and he is as entrepreneurial as any business person you will meet. The difference is that rather than leading a startup to an IPO, he applies his innovation from launching a local food bank to inventing a national non-profit to tackle massive societal issues.
He also educates me without knowing he is, which is copasetic as my admiration for him is off the charts. So, in our last chat, I asked for some advice. I want to know how I can make an actual change. I am proud of my charity work and volunteerism, but hearing this leader talk makes me anxious to do more that results in an enduring impact.
His simple advice is that I need to talk to my politicians. Elected officials are the beginning, middle, and end of policy change. Suppose we want solutions to housing, health, food, truth and reconciliation, diversity, education, and an economy robust enough to stand up to backstabbing bullies. In that case, I need to exercise my democratic rights to get informed and active.
He is right.
We all need to do more than vote. We must vote, congratulate the winning candidates, encourage others to stay involved, and then do the same. The government should not be a us-versus-them game. We are all part of the system, and the system needs to work for all of us.
My head start on voting now gives me a head start on getting ready to talk to our new federal leaders. In the interim, I will hone my approach by letting our municipal and provincial officials know what matters most to me and my community.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.