‘If you don’t vote, you don’t get an opinion’: Battlefords voters have their say on election day

“I’m hoping that having someone in there that’s really knowledgeable about the economy and economics and all that sort of thing will help to possibly bring down some cost of living and that’s a big one for me — and keeping the health care system viable,” she said.

Darren Olson emphasized the importance of participating in democracy.

“I think that Canadians have the privilege to be able to vote in a free and fair society, and that as citizens, we should be exercising our vote,” he said.

Linda Shynkaruk also cited civic duty as her motivation for voting, noting she hopes the election will lead to positive developments.

“I hope to see that our country continues to grow and that there will be changes — no matter what party is elected — that there will be positive changes for our beautiful country,” she said.

Young voter Paige Schamter said it was crucial for her generation to show what matters to them.

“I find that it’s just very important for people, especially my age, when political stuff has always kind of been up in the air,” she said.

“It’s really important that we come out and show what we actually care about.”

Schamter said she hoped human rights would be a priority after the election.

“Biggest thing probably would just be taking human rights more into consideration and, you know, showing people that humans actually do care about more than just money,” she said.

Carey, who preferred not to provide her last name, said she was concerned about women’s rights.

“I’m worried that women’s rights can be taken away and have been,” she said. “And I’m worried that it might happen in Canada as well.”

She added that voting honours the sacrifices of past generations.

“Lots of generations before us have sacrificed a lot for us to have that right and I think it’s important to exercise it — no matter what the outcome is,” she said.

Jordy Bernier said voting was essential for having a voice.

“If you want to have an opinion, you need to vote — and that’s basically it,” he said, adding that he hopes to see change, particularly around affordability.

“If you don’t vote, you don’t get an opinion.”

For Robert Brost, voting was about changing the political direction of the country.

“I hope that the Conservatives win because I’m tired of the Liberals for 10 years and all this hump about Trump — that’s a waste of time,” he said. “He [Mark Carney] wasn’t here the 10 years that this commotion started with all the Liberals.”

“To me it all went backwards for 10 years and now it’s time to change, and this Trump is just a monkey wrench thrown into making people forget everything that they’ve done. I don’t agree with that.”

Brost said he wants stronger support for western industries like farming and energy.

“They forgot about our canola. They forgot about our… well, the farmers,” said Brost, who recently retired after a lifetime in agriculture.

Theresa Brost also said she was eager for a new government.

“They’ve just ruined our country in so many ways. Like I can’t even make — there’s a list of them, you know?” she said. “So it’s time. It’s time for a change. Like a good change.”

Polls are open today from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters must bring one piece of government-issued ID, such as a driver’s licence.

Those without ID can still vote by declaring their identity and address in writing and having someone who knows them — and is assigned to the same polling station — vouch for them.

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

‘If you don’t vote, you don’t get an opinion’: Battlefords voters have their say on election day

This Week in Flyers

This Week in Flyers

What's Trending