Why vote now?

The power of one multiplied

Loreena McKennitt

Wise Communities Founder

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure it’s not news that the upcoming April 28th Canadian federal election is considered by many to have a once-in-a-generation significance.

As far as I can see, there’s little or no reason for folks not to vote unless they’re deathly ill. Even for those who’ve become increasingly cynical, choosing the best amongst the worst is better than not voting at all.

I guess the way I see it, to vote is to fulfill one of the obvious and not too onerous duties each of us has to help steer our country along.

My own litmus test is to imagine myself in the company of any of those who fought in the Second World War and explain to them why I’m not participating in the democracy they fought to defend. I try to envision their reaction.

Sometimes my family and I volunteer at the Canadian Legion in Stratford. Every time we’re there I’m reminded of the incredible sacrifices made by so many in order to give future generations the liberty of choosing how their country is run. They passed that torch to us. We must not let them down. Democracies do not thrive as a spectator sport.

As the storms of authoritarianism blow more frequently and closer to home, we can remind ourselves that in addition to having the choice of whether or not to vote, we have the choice of who to vote for. This is not the case in other parts of the world, such as Russia. They dispatch the competition.

So, what can we do?

Given the threat to our nation, sober thought must be given to the options of who might best protect our democracy and sovereignty – even if you’ve never voted for them before, or might never vote for them again.

Study up on the subjects and policies using reliable, regulated and accountable sources such as the CBC, our public broadcaster. Abandon the U.S.-owned tech companies and their social media sites which are being weaponised against us by bad actors, foreign and otherwise.

Please keep in your hearts other subjects which we know to be true and for which future generations will bear the consequences, such as climate change and environmental issues.

Get out and vote. Vote early. Help and encourage your neighbours and family to vote, offer to drive them and grab an ice cream cone on the way home to congratulate yourselves. Reach out to any young people who might be voting for the first time. Get them excited about exercising this incredible privilege and learning how their country is run.

Please don’t sit this one out – or any election for that matter. Each and every vote counts. The power of one multiplied can have a profound impact. It can mean a life of liberty – or not.

Loreena McKennitt CM, OM, CD, LL.D. and D.Litt

Stratford, Ontario

Loreena McKennitt is an international, multi-platinum recording artist, a member of The Order of Canada, the former Honorary Colonel of The Royal Canadian Air Force and founder of Wise Communities.