So here we are. The last issue of The Voice Magazine before Canada’s 42nd general election. I have the luxury of living in a riding that’s basically locked down. This means I can vote my choice knowing that the First-Past-The-Post system we have will discard my vote as both unneeded and unheeded.
In some ways that’s a good thing. It means I don’t have to pay too much attention to the polls to try to game our voting system into getting a more acceptable result. It means that I have the freedom to vote for candidate, or policy, or leader, or color of campaign sign, if I wish, and won’t be risking anything by doing so.
However, not everybody’s so lucky. If you’re one of the many millions who hasn’t yet voted and are still looking around to see if there’s anything that can finally make up your mind, you’re in luck with this week’s issue of The Voice Magazine. Writer Bethany Tynes has gone through the policies of the four large national parties and has presented us with a quick rundown of what their policies would mean for post-secondary education, something that, as an AU student, you probably care about.
We also have an article by Cara Doane on her response to the various campaign promises of the major parties, and in it, she points out something I’ve felt as well. This campaign, no matter how long it has been, has seemed to be awfully short on issues of substance.
Instead, we get wrangling on which set of tax plans and government service adjustments do we want to move forward with. We get arguing about whether we should dictate what some women wear so as to stop the men in their life from, uh, dictating what they should wear. (I’m still not sure I understand the point of that concept). We get debates about whether we should accept a trade deal that was negotiated primarily by corporations and kept away from any public scrutiny or consultation. And while I’m not arguing that any of these are unimportant, I’ve been looking for a larger purpose. A game-changer, if you will. I’m still waiting.
Beyond that though, this issue we start with our interview with student Mistelle Montague. If the name seems familiar, it’s probably because you’re on the Athabasca University unofficial student facebook group, and you recognize it from the first post you see posted there.
We also have a look at the new AUSU online award application system. Barb Lehtiniemi dug into it and found that while it makes things easier, you’re still going to prepare to do it properly, her article will tell you how. Also, Carla Knipe, following up on her story about how having hobbies helps our health, is looking beyond AU for some hobbies you might try yourself, if you were looking for something new to keep you busy. This week, her sights are set on the stars.
Plus, of course, a selection of news, reviews, entertainment, and other stories to keep you amused while you’re standing in the voting line.
Enjoy the read!
