The Page didn’t know it is a Canadian tradition to put a sprig of wheat in the bride’s bouquet for good luck.
He thought it was poison ivy!
Guys, you know this is true!
How do you get your girlfriend or wife to change her mind?
Agree with her!
You may not know it, but Battle River-Crowfoot Alberta, where Pierre Poilievre hopes to win a seat to legitimately go back to Parliament, has an election problem!
But the solution by Elections Canada seems like an idea that might really catch on!
According to news reports, almost 200 people want their names on the election ballot. Not all those candidates actually expect to be elected. The same news reports say maybe seven or eight people, including Poilievre, are actually serious candidates.
The rest are just people hoping to gum up the works getting their names on the ballots. In fact, this is a real political movement right across Canada. Flooding ballots with names, real or fake, is happening often. This is the latest, and most visible instance.
Elections Canada says, more or less “Oh well. Here’s a fix. Instead of printing a ballot that would be at least 1 1/2 metres (almost 5 feet) long, let’s not print any ballots at all. People can just write in the name of who they want.”
Elections Canada says they will be “generous” when interpreting misspelled names and such.
Good idea!
In fact, quite a few of the more than 600 First Nations across Canada, and many Metis settlements, have a similar problem. Not as bad as Battle River, but it is not uncommon at all to have between 20 to 60 names on a ballot. Plus six to a full dozen names for chief. Numbers are increasing.
It is entirely possible that one of these days, instead of communities having trouble getting candidates to run for office, many will start following the lead of those First Nations.
A great many candidates for town councils, counties, cities and municipal districts already run for no other reason than there is a nice paycheque for sitting in a meeting and raising a hand. Plus, one gets to travel across the province, and sometimes the entire country! All at the taxpayer’s expense.
And for most, all they say about it when anybody asks is, “Real good meeting. I learned a lot.”
It’s often said that municipal elections are just a popularity contest. Voters never hear about any ideas candidates have. Communities that have election forums often have only half the candidates even show up to speak and take questions. That’s only four or five of say eight or nine candidates for perhaps seven positions as an example.
Some councillors, after being elected, say they can’t do business or take meetings during work hours or on weekends. Some won’t allow their home phone number on local government supplied business cards or web listings. That’s community service for you!
Stories abound of good councillors saying, “People don’t realize how much work it is being a councillor.” So very true. But that’s for councillors really trying to do a good job for their community.
People also don’t realize how many councillors in many communities are pretty well useless, and shouldn’t even be on council.
Thank goodness for most of our communities the good ones usually, but not always, outnumber the goofs!
Having to write in names of mayors, reeves and councillors, even if it’s seen on a card passed out from a candidate going door-to-door (mailing them, or paying somebody to knock on doors, should be banned) or at forums, or just out canvassing, seems like worth a try.
Here’s another thought: Depending on how many voters turn out, there should be a cut-off.
If a candidate doesn’t get a certain percentage of the total vote, like say 20 per cent, even if they beat everyone else, they shouldn’t get a seat.
But, rather than make things confusing, let’s just go with the write-in names to start with. Baby steps.
And besides, in some of our communities, if only four people decide to run, how embarrassing would it be if three of them only got 12 votes? And the bottom person only two! Ouch!
Not to mention, what a hardship for the rest having to carry the load all by themselves.
Let’s not forget the saying, “People always get the government they deserve.” Check your local council. Most councils around our area are quite decent. Right? Hmmmm!
“Don’t focus on the guy who hates you. Just think of all the ones who really don’t care one way or the other about you.” – Grandpa Jonesy
“Oh, there is no way in the world everybody hates you. How can they? Most of them have never even met you!” – Grandma Smithers
Your correspondent had a great time at the High Prairie Elks Rodeo last week. Great parade. (Check out photos in this paper and online at southpeacenews.com)
Good crowds at the grounds! Good food!
And we have to send a shoutout to all those cowboys and cowgirls in the rodeo events. Especially the bronc riders. Bang! Crash! Bang Again! And that’s just getting on the horse getting ready to ride!
Whew! Good work, guys and gals!
How can you tell if a couple is married or unmarried at the movies?
The married couples complain when the sound goes off!
Have a great week!
