I've already done so at the advanced polls, but if you haven't yet there's still a few hours left! Your boss is legally required to allow you time to vote, and as long as you have proof of address (which you can bring something from the bank) and something with your name, like a credit card, student ID, or health card, you can register at the poll and vote!
I'm hoping that we have a change in leadership in Ottawa tonight. I'm sick of Harper. His reduction in health care transfers to the provinces is going to have direct impact on my life, as has his bill c36/PCEPA that criminalizes aspects of sex work and puts me in danger.
He's also closed 75% of the Status of Women centres, refuses to look into the missing Indigenous women and girls, wants to ban religious expression for Muslims. He's homophobic and against gay marriage. He's made many Canadians into second class citizens. He brought legislation to create NSA style "anti-terrorism" to Canada. He's muzzled scientists, who are integral to developing our economy and fighting climate change. He's got us embroiled in Middle East wars with the US that kill civilians while cutting aid to our veterans. He supports Israeli persecution of Palestine without any criticism. He lies to Canada, refuses to answer our questions, fights our Supreme Court and flaunts election law where he doesn't break or change it. He thinks marijuana is "infinitely worse" than cigarettes, despite the health benefits of our currently legal medicinal marijuana, while enjoying the support of the Ford brothers who have done and sold drugs. He's boldly racist.
Even if you care nothing for other Canadians, and you only care about the economy, he's crap for that too. While the first recession was not his fault, he did run us from surplus to deficit, and has us in the grip of a second recession right now. The entirety of my generation is strangled by debt and poverty and un/underemployment. His budget has only been balanced during elections, and only by cutting social service and instituting austerity measures that never help the economy grow.
And you know what? Even if you're conservative and a big Harper fan, I urge you to go have your voice heard rather than sit at home. If you are sick of Harper, go tell him the only way he cares. That's the only way democracy (sort of) works.
