Are Canadians apathetic about a possible federal election?
Posted March 23, 2011 11:12 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There is no doubt some serious political division has emerged, but one political expert says the ethical issues at hand do have Canadians paying attention.
Despite concerns over apathy, Dennis Pilon with the University of Victoria says some Canadians are not happy about what’s been happening in Ottawa.
Pilon says many people are concerned about the ethical issues emerging. “The niceties of saying what you mean don’t seem to count. Then of course the budget, the minority government they do not have enough seats to have their own way. So you know, they have to make a deal with people.”
When it comes to voters wanting to go to the polls, Pilon says, “It’s like saying ‘Do you want taxes?’ ‘Do you want some bad news?’ I mean, of course the answer is going to be no. That’s not the right question to ask people.”
He adds it also matters when you ask that question. He says when the election is upon us, that is when people start to pay attention, and their answers might differ.
Pilon also says it’s time to be critical of the rhetoric we’ve been hearing. “A lot of people seem to assume that we know what the problems are. I think it’s a big assumption. Specifically on economic questions, I really don’t think the public is getting a fair showcasing of the possible options.”
He says people need to be asked if they think these issues are important to bring the public into the conversation to help settle the dispute.
