Editor:
As I write this, the final day of voting has yet to begin, so I have no idea of the outcome of our most recent federal election process.
I am, however disgusted by the behaviour of some when it comes to actions in support of their party.
Signs are an annoying part of getting the candidates’ names out there. I do not like seeing our city blanketed with these things, but I respect the right and accept the need to do so.
Smashing, defacing, burning, knocking over or stealing a sign is an offence under the Elections Act. Signs of all parties have been attacked – I know I have been putting up ones for my chosen candidate and have had to repair them. I see the destruction of other parties’ signs and am saddened by the behaviour.
In the office of my candidate, the phone system is flooded by junk harassment calls so that the phone is tied up and not available. That is a disruption attack that pushes negative images, of both the person calling and the party behind them, certainly not a positive message.
Dirty politics comes to mind.
Negative ads filled with half-truths and out-of-context statements. Scare tactics and falsehoods – all part of the election campaign and mainly coming from our national offices from parties that claim to have the best interests of Canadians at heart.
Some should be ashamed. The political parties should be ashamed.
This is not the behaviour of the Canada that I wish to be proud of.
Terry Peel, Surrey
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Thank you to our candidates.
Three cheers for the six valiant people who have given so much of their time in this lengthy federal election campaign.
From door knocking to meetings, they have worked hard. Even in the last week, they had three all-candidates meetings to prepare for.
South Surrey-White Rock should be proud and thankful for such high-calibre candidates.
Helen Christiansen, Surrey
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If Canadians could finally get on with ditching our antiquated ‘first past the post’ system, and step into the modern world of ‘proportional representation’ – no we’re not too dumb to understand one – we could vote for the person we truly think is the best candidate to represent us.
By the way, do local residents not have any opinions on what problems need addressing by whoever we send to Ottawa? By the local news offerings, you’d think all we cared about was the weather report.
What about discussing how our candidates contributed in their previous posts in addressing violent crime, traffic, development troubles, farmland preservation, school crowding, environmental issues and other local concerns, not to mention spending our tax money wisely, before we voted to send them on to tackle national issues?
A. Wilson, Surrey