By Sherani Theophilus

Times-Chronicle

We are going to the polls!

I had the great privilege of running for Osoyoos town council back in 2018. I couldn’t bankroll a large campaign so it was suggested that I should just run and fundraise from my connections. I ran without extra funding. 

I like municipal elections because there are no party politics and low budget caps. 

My reason for running had to do with the representation I thought was missing on council. No person of colour had ever run for town council in Osoyoos. When I joined the process there were only four candidates, and I hated the thought of winners by acclimation.

I wasn’t disappointed in not being elected. I learned a lot from the process. I was, however, a little disappointed with how the women running were lumped into the “female” spot, as if the male candidates had three chances to win and we had one. I was as qualified as my fellow male candidates. 

The thing I was most disappointed about was the extremely low voter turnout. Over 60 per cent of eligible voters did not vote.

 I spent some time trying to sort out why. Some of those I spoke with were business owners in Osoyoos who lived outside town limits. Some felt that their vote wouldn’t make a difference. Some told me that their religion prevents them from voting but wished me luck.

There were a few uncomfortable moments including a candidate accusing me of damaging their signs and a comment from a candidate to “lose the heels and win the election” for the next time, but mostly it was a really positive experience. 

 Federal elections are something quite different. We are living and working through a global pandemic and a natural disaster. Whatever your thoughts are on the parties, remember a little over a year ago when nobody knew what the virus would do and a few people had to make a lot of tough decisions on how to survive it financially and literally.  

 Evidence has shown that residents of countries such as Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands with social support systems in place, fared better in crises, and that was the approach taken here in Canada. 

 I can’t imagine the weight of the responsibility of those decisions. There is no political win in any approach.

 We have the opportunity to vote soon. Please just vote. My hope is that every eligible voter marks a ballot. 

Vote for the things that matter most to you and to the country. Vote for fairness and a just society. Vote for people who can negotiate well on our behalf. Vote for people who really understand the cost of poverty, addiction, mental health, and human rights. Vote for people who can make the difficult decisions.