Today we have both old and new faces that will be occupying chairs in Ottawa. Yea ... The elections are over! To those that have won your seat, it’s because there were enough of us who said you were the best to represent us in our area. Today we hold you up to high scrutiny; to be elected to such a privileged office is just that – a privilege. We ask you to remember that every working day. We have handed you that right to work for us, the Canadian public. Do not ever forget that it is the great people of Canada that you are working for, not some spreadsheet of numbers. We, yes the Canadian public, will pay you well and even give you a substantial retirement package because you got the job. Heck, we will even pay your incurred expenses, but we ask that you make them reasonable because some of us today will not have something to eat, or a safe place to sleep or a job to go to. We expect that you will do your utmost to understand your job and to fulfill it to the best of your capability. Be forewarned, some will hate you, some will love you, most of us want to go on with our daily lives and not have to be vigilant that our employees, you, have blundered or created an unreasonable situation or hardship for us. Congratulations on your win, your job has just started – buckle in and be ready to work hard. Be civil and respectful, but most of all, be Canadian.
To those of us who our candidate who we voted for lost, don’t be mad or vindictive to those who won. Remember it was your neighbours, coworkers, friends and even family who voted, respect their choices as you would like them to respect yours had you won. Same goes to the winners – don’t gloat, please.
To the candidates who ran and lost, we thank you for running. You challenged us to decide what we want to define Canada to be, by the people who run it. Be proud that you stepped forward and gave us options, choices and challenges. Remember, if you are dedicated, four years is not an eternity but a time to regroup and rediscover what we Canadians want in an elected official.
To those of you that did not vote, “SHAME.” You had an opportunity to make your statement. It happens once every four years, you had time to vote, you passed it up, be quiet. You didn’t vote by choice, therefore gave up your right to complain or compliment. There are over 35 different political parties in Canada, surely one of them carried your sentiments. People have died for what you have the right to. Be there next time.
To the PM, you, you of all people will be the number one representing over 35 million Canadians, wear it proud for us, show us that it’s worthy of its title. We will be watching. Please don’t make it about the money, but about the many.
And now that the election is over “Canadian On, Eh!”
Raymond Chartier, St. Albert
