My riding of Etobicoke North has been decidedly Liberal-leaning (at least on the federal stage) for almost 20 years. Our current Member of Parliament, Roy Cullen, has done an admirable job representing us nationally, and is almost certain to once again win this riding after ballots are counted tomorrow. The problem, however, is that no one can be really sure if Roy Cullen is truly representative of all people in the riding: Etobicoke North has the lower voter turnout in all of Canada.

During the last election, Etobicoke North — which has a total population of 112,410 and of which 70% are classified as visible minorities — had a voter turnout of about 30%, less than half of the national average. In an area where violent crime (the area of Rexdale that falls within the riding’s boundaries has been one of the hardest-hit regions in the country when it comes to gun violence) and immigration (approximately 62,565 legal immigrants reside in the riding) are primary concerns, it is clear that the candidate that is able to capitalize on such urban issues will be able to easily win the riding.

For the past ten years, that candidate has been Roy Cullen. Active with the Rexdale Community Health Centre and the Etobicoke Social Development Council, Roy Cullen has also been instrumental in brining over $1 million federal dollars into the riding for crime prevention programs. In the past, candidates from other political parties only addressed riding-specific issues nominally. This year, things have changed.

Amanjit Khroad, Conservative candidate for Etobicoke North, displays enthusiasm and energy that is sure to drive out the dismally low youth vote in the riding, and his Punjabi descent will be influential in the northern region of Etobicoke North, where a strong Punjabi community exerts considerable influence. Ali Naqvi, an immigration lawyer and consultant running as NDP candidate for the riding, has already gathered the endorsement of the Muslim Canadian Congress, and has several years of political experience behind him, particularly important in a riding with a large percentage of Muslim immigrants.

In the end, Roy Cullen may still ride the wave of support he has through his incumbency to another win, but it won’t be so easy this time. Whoever does win, it is clear that the person representing Etobicoke North has a mandate to increase government awareness of the pressing issues of crime and immigration that are central to our riding.

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Canada is desperate for a change, but if change means electing a Harper government, many Canadians would rather accept another four years of stagnancy. Because of this fact, many voters are looking at voting strategically in this election: not voting for a party because they espouse their beliefs, but instead voting for a party in order to keep another party out. I argue that this is extremely bad for Canada.

Strategic voting may have some merits, but in general, it is being done by those that are uninformed and unaware of the repercussions of their actions. For example, while the Conservatives have little-to-no chance of winning the riding of Trinity-Spadina this election, I have heard of many NDP supporters that will be voting for Liberal incumbent Tony Ianno instead of NDP candidate Olivia Chow just “too keep those Tories out.” As I write this, I am laughing at the ridiculousness of that action. If the Conservatives have no chance in this riding, a strategic vote for the Liberals instead of a sincere vote for the NDP is less strategic and more stupid; an NDP balance of power would probably be much better than a larger Liberal opposition.

Until Canada does change the electoral system to something closer to proportional representation, such ridiculous strategic voting will still occur, but I bemoan the fact that many who practice this strategy are unaware of their actions. Paul Martin’s claim that “a vote for the NDP is a vote for the Conservatives” is not only wrong, but highly pretentious. It’s no wonder why so many people want him out of power.

For a better view on the ridiculousness of strategic voting, see the following editorials from Now and Eye:
How about everyone just votes for the candidate they like?
Strategic voting is a Liberal scam
A Conservative minority may be our best hope