Granted, the sampling size is small but of the 284 respondents to the Times’ weekly web poll as of late this morning, one-quarter said they are “totally” paying attention to the federal election so far.
Almost half (46 percent) said they were “somewhat” paying attention while less than one-third of respondents (29 percent) said they weren’t paying attention at all.
How this translates into voter turnout come election day on Oct. 19 remains to be seen. But given we’re in the midst of one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history, it’s encouraging to see more people than not have been following along at least somewhat rather than tuning out completely—particularly during the early weeks that coincided with summer vacationing for many Canadians.
Here in Kenora-Rainy River, the campaign has been quiet so far—marked largely by lawn signs dotting front yards and other strategic locations around our communities. But with Labour Day having come and gone, and the duration of the campaign now mirroring the traditional length of previous ones of late, that’s about to change.
Incumbent MP John Rafferty (NDP) officially is opening is campaign office in Fort Frances, located at 330 Scott St., this Friday at 1:30 p.m., with fellow candidates Moe Comuzzi (Conservative), Christy Radbourne (Green Party), and Don Rusnak (Liberal) presumably to follow suit in the near future.
There’s also word that Mr. Rusnak is holding a “meet and greet” this Monday (Sept. 21) at From the Grind Up here.
Meanwhile, kudos to the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture for once again staging an all-candidates’ meeting, which will be held this coming Tuesday (Sept. 22) at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton.
There’s no word yet if other all-candidate forums/debates are planned locally but hopefully another organization steps to the plate in order to give voters as many opportunities as possible to scrutinize the platforms, policies, and promises of those seeking to represent us in the House of Commons for up to the next four years.
Stripped of all the rhetoric and hoopla, election campaigns basically are job interviews. As such, voters should take the time to question the candidates and know their stances—and solutions—on the various issues.
With election day now just over a month away, the clock is ticking.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
