Voters in Thunder Bay-Rainy River had more choice when casting their ballots Monday than in the last federal election in 2000, but the bulk of the popular vote still went to the three mainstream parties.
In addition to the traditional options of Liberal, Conservative, and NDP, the Green Party, Marijuana Party, and the Christian Heritage Party were on the ballot this year.
Russ Aegard of the Green Party came in fourth with 831 votes (2.3 percent), followed by Doug Thompson of the Marijuana Party with 526 (1.5 percent) and Johannes Scheibler of the CHP with 260 (0.7 percent).
Aegard spent Monday night following the results from his home with friends and supporters.
“I’m pretty happy with what happened,” he remarked. “I was hoping to improve on our numbers from the last federal election, and we did.”
The Green Party certainly has gained more attention over the years, and garnered 4.3 percent of the national vote on Monday—earning them the “political mainstream” label from the Globe and Mail and more than $1 million in federal funding.
This funding, said Aegard, will give the party the resources to research its programs more extensively to development a more accurate budget.
Aegard, a full-time elementary school teacher, plans on coaching his Little League all-star team this summer, beginning tomorrow when they leave for a tournament in Minnesota.
Thompson, meanwhile, was pleased with the results for the Marijuana Party, which still is a political newbie in only their second federal election.
“I’m glad it’s over, actually, and this is a minority government so everybody will be on their toes, I’m sure,” said Thompson. “This is a step in the right direction for the Marijuana Party.
“We got our toes wet with the first two elections and now the third one will really count—when the next election comes, we’ll be ready,” he vowed.
Thompson, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said he likely won’t survive his disease long enough to run in the next election, but he hopes to pass the proverbial torch to someone in his family, possibly his daughter.
“We had a good race, we got 33,500 votes across Canada, so it’s good,” he said. “At least it gives stability for the Marijuana Party—they know we’re here and we’re staying.”
Scheibler, a first-time candidate, also said he is not likely to run in the next election, citing “I’m too old for that” as his reason. But he said the CHP is on the landscape and that they are not going anywhere.
“Well, personally, of course, I’m disappointed, but I’m thankful for everyone who voted for me and for the support and prayers I’ve had,” he remarked.
Scheibler said Canadians chose their government—and they will get what they chose. “I can’t see that there’s any change coming. [More] scandals and mismanagement, everybody knows that,” he warned.
In the next federal election, Scheibler hopes to see the CHP field more candidates and get more votes under their belt, and hopefully, he said, a member of Parliament.
But regardless of the voters’ decisions, a common sentiment seems to ring true among the so-called “fringe” parties—at least they provide Canadians with a choice.
“It’s amazing how people just continue to support the main parties—they complain about them, but then . . .” Aegard trailed off. “I don’t know what else they’re looking for.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
