A Commentary by Doug Draper
By now, any one of the few of us who have been paying the least bit of attention, knows the results.
A flurry of election signs in Niagara Falls
The reason I say “the few of us” is that less than half of us – a mere 47 percent of eligible voters making up the worst voter turnout in Ontario history – bothered to show up at the polls this October 6. Bloody pathetic and a curse on those who couldn’t take a few minutes out their day in front of the TV set to vote. To hell with them when they complain from now on about provincial government services being cut or about programs or policies the province may bring in that they don’t like. They have disenfranchised themselves by not voting.
For the rest of us, who still possibly care a little about this stuff, we’ve now got the first minority government elected in Ontario since 1985 when then Liberal leader David Peterson and NDP leader Bob Rae formed a coalition that arguably led to some of the most progressive legislative advances on social, environmental and other issues this province has seen to this day.
In Niagara this October 6, 2011, it is not surprising that the province’s Conservative leader won his riding in the west end of Niagara or that veteran Liberal MPP Jim Bradley won his in St. Catharines he ‘s been a pretty popular guy in since 1977. NDP candidate Cindy Forster won in a Welland riding that has been bedrock territory for her party going back to Mel Swart and continuing through to now retiring NDP icon Peter Kormos. Kim Craitor, a Liberal in Niagara Falls managed to fight off Conservative candidate George Epp and NDP candidate Wayne Redekop in a tight one there, and Conservative Party leader Tim Hudak easily won his riding in the west end of Niagara.
So what do you think? Does any of this still matter to you? Share your views in the comment boxes below and remember that we will only accept comments from readers who are willing to share their real first and last names. Put your names on the line like the candidates in this election did.
Niagara At Large 
How sad about that low turnout. I talked to a person late yesterday, and she was uninformed even as to who the candidates in her riding were. she probably wasn’t going to vote, anyway.
The gerrymandering of the border between St. C. and Welland has caused massive confusion the last several years. So now driving down Glendale in St. C is a hoot, with the wrong signs on the lawns. Oh well. I like Minority governments, and hope that that means our Social Safety Net will retained — somewhat.
LikeLike
I’m very impressed with Andrea Horwath. The N.D.P is lucky to have her, and I’m glad they made significant gains.
LikeLike
I’m enormously thankful McGuinty did not get a majority. Maybe now someone will give him a map of the Region of Niagara and show him that the new super hospital is definitely not in the geographic centre of Niagara.
Then maybe he will understand why there is all this opposition to his party and a good man like Kim Craitor almost didn’t make the cut.
LikeLike
We need a version of the Wall Street protests here – but more focussed – to fight for citizens, consumer protection and generally kick-ass.
No wonder no one wants to vote. NO party wants to be honest and state that if you want better health care, you have to pay higher taxes! How many street people did you see twenty years ago – next to none except for a few hard-core drunks. That’s what we got for listening to Harris – cut welfare and put people on the street. Oh – I forgot – Reagan’s trickle-down theory will save us all.
LikeLike
I am not really surprised by the low voter turnout. At the same time, I am saddened by it as well.
For me, it has become an issue of voting for the least worst candidate in my riding, instead of voting for the best candidate! I tend to be a little to the right of centre — what some call a “Red Tory.” That means I am a “small c” conservative – but with a social conscience. I no longer have a political party that I can agree with fully. I am fed up with the Liberals and their “natural governing party” attitude. I don’t like the way the old Social Credit hard-line ultra-rightists have taken over the federal Conservative party. (If you go back through history you will see that the Alliance, and before them, Reform, are actually based on the old Social Credit party). I like NDP leader Andrea Horwath, but they have little or no “bench strength.” I would have loved to have seen an additional line on the ballot – one that said “none of the above” – I would have put my X there immediately.
I firmly believe that until we can come up with a major change in our system – a change that reduces the power of the political parties and their leaders to put more power in the hands of the individual MPs, MPPs, MLAs etc, we are doomed to continue to face serious issues with voter turnout!
LikeLike
I also like minority governments,it is a lot like a leash on a dog, saves the dog biting somebody or digging up the neighbours lawn, I read once about total power corrupts, Kim should get more respect from his crazy boss at Queens Park, a promise Dalton made this election was to spend 56 million dollars on the Niagara River and the Great lakes, our families should not be drinking that toxic brew. we have to get rid of these sewage lagoons and dumping raw sewage into the creeks and river.
LikeLike
“Wall Street” protests will be coming to Toronto this month.
LikeLike
Mark, you should have put the italics around “protests”.
LikeLike
The turn out was both pathertic and disgusting. Everybody talks the talk but very few walk the walk. Unfortunately, that saddles everyone with a government that very few want. At least a minority gov’t means the “ruling” party cannot lord it over everyone unimpeded. The current system that allows control of the seat by the “majority” even though they receive fewer votes than the opposing parties collectively is obsolete and unfair but, again, the populace was too apathetic to look into changing this when it was recently proposed. The conclusion must be you get what you deserve. Too bad people do not keep informed with something that effects their lives so profoundly. It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you flock with turkeys.
LikeLike
I am pleased with the minority, but how much do you want to bet that McGuinty will try to pull something dirty and drag a couple of MPPs from the Opposition to join the Liberal bench to get a majority? I remember Paul Martin doing something like that – Belinda Stronach ran and won as a Conservative, but then was bribed over the Liberal bench and even made a Minister!
LikeLike