Every day, it seems a new poll comes out that shows federal election momentum growing for one political party or another. And if the latest media coverage is accurate, B.C. issues are losing ground to voters' concerns in eastern Canada as the federal election heats up in the home stretch.
Perhaps it was always the case that the more populous east should decide the election. But it is still galling to see B.C.'s clout dissipate so quickly.
Just a few weeks ago, the national parties were falling over themselves to put affordable housing, the economy and, for some parties, the environment on the voters' agenda, and these issues are dear to many B.C. voters.
At the time, we were told by the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Greens that something needs to be done to deal with the high cost of housing in Metro Vancouver to make sure families can afford to live here while also protecting creeks, streams and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Now, with the election less than two weeks away, the national parties have been much more engaged with concerns in vote-rich Ontario and Quebec, and B.C. issues seem to have been just swept away.
For example, we now hear from the national media that the issue of whether women should be allowed to wear a niqab during a citizenship ceremony, opposed by the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois and accepted by the NDP and the Liberals, may very well determine the outcome of the election, although it's something that affects a ridiculously small number of people — and an issue on which the courts have ruled.
Meanwhile, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which could affect millions, wasn't even on the radar until this week. We're not saying anyone was secretive about it but those with long memories might recall that in 1988, a similar deal with the U.S., called the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, dominated the federal election, with the Liberals, NDP and Conservatives duking it out on the deal's advantages and disadvantages.
Apparently, this agreement, which may benefit some manufacturers and exporters but not others, is pretty much a done deal. We'll just have to take the Conservative government's word for it that it is a good one.
As for timing, it's not too late for B.C. voters to get up to speed on these issues. With luck, there won't be another curveball thrown at the electorate between now and voting day.
