Undemocratic CPC actions
Wow, yet again a Conservative party member skips an all-candidates meeting.
At least Cathie Ounsted is consistent. She has attended only one of six all-candidates meetings in this riding she wants to represent. This disgusting, undemocratic tradition first started with Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) candidates and it’s clear that nothing has changed under Pierre Poilievre’s leadership.
Any person considering voting CPC who values democracy should be deciding to vote for one of the other candidates, all of whom are good potential representatives.
DARYL LOGAN,
Salt Spring
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Vote Green
I am writing this because I have had conversations with islanders who were confused about strategic voting in our riding with many supporting Mark Carney for prime minister.
If I may, my understanding is that if you support Pierre Poilievre’s policies and want him to be prime minister, vote Conservative. No mystery.
However, in this riding where the polls show the two main candidates as our incumbent Elizabeth May of the Greens and Cathie Ounsted of the Conservatives, if you want someone other than Mr. Poilievre as prime minister, you must vote Green if you are trying to be strategic. This is because your vote for the other honourable candidates will take away support from the Greens and possibly allow a victory for the Conservatives.
I hope this helps.
PATRICIA FLANNAGAN,
Salt Spring
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Double the value
A vote for Elizabeth May and the Greens will have double value: it will keep climate change — by far the most critical issue facing all humanity — on the national political agenda; and it will help ensure that Canada’s next prime minister will not be the guy who yesterday reminded us of his promise to bring back single-use plastics as part of the horrifying list of his proposed major steps backwards from fighting climate change. Not to mention the scary compatibility of his views and attitude with those of the guy in charge to the south, who wants to make us the 51st state.
Last week local polls showed the Greens slightly ahead of the Conservatives, with the Liberals trailing. That’s even more reason to vote Green!
CHRIS BRADLEY,
Salt Spring
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Strategic voting
The upcoming federal election cries out for a “strategic voting” approach to be considered by voters.
The latest polls and projections (April 21) at 338canada.com for the Saanich-Gulf Islands member of Parliament put the vote projection for the Green party (34 per cent ± eight per cent) and the Conservative party (35 per cent ± seven per cent) at neck and neck levels. They also project that the Liberal party and NDP candidates have virtually no chance of winning the seat.
Any voter who does NOT want to have Pierre Poilievre as the next prime minister of Canada during these perilous times for the country should seriously consider voting strategically for the only viable alternative to the Conservative party in this riding: the Green party. Luckily for us we have a competent, hardworking and proven Green party candidate in Elizabeth May.
GREG SPENDJIAN,
Salt Spring
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Best choice
Those of us who live in Saanich-Gulf Islands have to unite behind Elizabeth May, the best MP I have experienced in 60 years of voting — most of them as a Progressive Conservative before the party was hijacked — to prevent the Conservative Party of Canada candidate, who called Elizabeth May a cow and skipped the all-candidates meeting on Salt Spring, from taking the seat with 36 per cent of the ballots because of vote splitting.
Elizabeth May will serve our riding with dignity, honour, integrity and intelligence. Mark Carney holds her in high regard.
Ironically, she would have more influence on his policies than a rookie backbench Liberal MP.
STAN GARROD,
Atkins Road
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Absent candidate
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party candidate for Parliament in our Saanich-Gulf Islands riding decided not to participate in the all-candidates forums on Pender and Salt Spring islands.
If elected, Cathie Ounsted would be responsible for representing everyone living on the Southern Gulf Islands. Yet, she decided at the very last moment without explanation not to meet with us and not to allow us the opportunity to get to know her. Who is she? What are her political positions and values?
Our current Member of Parliament, Elizabeth May, has shown us that she knows the Gulf Islands. She has been holding town halls and she has made herself available to all of us on a frequent basis. She has an active constituency office that handles individual issues. She is a beloved member of our community.
The comparison is obvious: An absent Conservative party candidate or a caring Elizabeth May.
CURT FIRESTONE,
Salt Spring
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Following CPC playbook
I want to thank the candidates that took the time to attend the all-candidates debate on April 15 at Fulford Hall. The Liberal candidate appeared to be unprepared and Elizabeth May was brilliant as usual.
Many people at the event expressed disappointment and frustration for the absence of the Conservative candidate. I take her decision not to attend as an insult to the people of Salt Spring. This person who is running to represent us in Parliament won’t even bother to come to our communities to tell us what she stands for and what her vision is for our riding. Does she believe she already has enough votes? What kind of representation can we expect from her?
Pierre Poilievre thinks he can become prime minister by insulting people, which he has been doing for years. The local Conservative candidate is following his playbook.
ALVARO SANCHEZ,
Salt Spring