Well, that is that. Another election is behind us.
What a weird campaign period it was. It was shorter, there was the ever-present looming shadow of U.S. President Trump, resulting in drastic shifts in the polls, and then, of course, the campaign ended on a horrific note with the tragic deaths at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver, where several politicians had made an appearance shortly before.
Here are six things we noted about this election campaign that had an impact on the West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country riding.
1. We realized we sleep beside a bear: The U.S.’s overarching power over us wasn’t evident until the bear woke up in a bad mood. Some of us weren’t aware that the bear didn’t see us as a fellow ursine. This awakening happened during the election locally, but also across the country and likely heavily impacted voter decisions.
2. All-candidates meetings for the win: The Squamish, and, for that matter, the Whistler all-candidates meetings turned out to be well worth their while. Ideas were exchanged, people were civil, and electors left more educated.
3. We know what we want: Judging by our reader survey results, most local voters knew who they were going to vote for early after the election was called, and didn’t switch, but did, however, engage more than ever this time around. The efforts of the politicians who walk a proverbial gauntlet throughout the campaign period, then, seemingly sway the electors who weren’t decided, but mostly confirm what voters had already determined.
4. Some people are nasty: At least two campaigns in our riding had their signs deliberately vandalized. That is embarrassing. Enough said.
5. We like advance voting: 27,129 electors voted in advance polls during the four days it was available. That is 30% of eligible riding voters. This is in line with the National count—7.3 million electors voted at the advance polls this time around, up 25% from the last federal election in 2021.
6. Not having costed campaigns bites: If we could make one change before the next federal election, it should be required that the parties release their costed platforms before advance voting is started. While many of us didn’t seem to need to see all the campaign’s plans in order to cast an advance ballot, it certainly puts voters at a disadvantage. How can we truly know which team we want to be on if their strategy for the win is unclear? We deserve better.
In summary, it was a weird election, but, as always, our participation mattered.
Your vote mattered. Well done, all.
