Like it or not, the provincial election is creeping up and, as with every election, it's bound to catch some people with their pants down.
Elections have never been a crowd drawer in Canada. On a federal level, voter turnout reached its peak in 1958, 1962 and '63, with a whopping 79 per cent of voters casting ballots, according to Elections Canada. All three came down to a race between the Progressive Conservative leader John Diefenbaker and the Liberals' Lester B. Pearson.
Voter turnout hit its lowest point five years ago, in the lacklustre 2008 elections. Only 58.8 per cent of Canadians marked an X on a ballot and Stephen Harper quietly moved his stuff back into Ottawa.
British Columbians' interest in voting for their leader fell even lower than the national abomination in the last provincial election. Only half of the province's eligible voters bothered to have their say in 2009. And I'm not holding my breath to see if B.C.'s 40th election churns up more interest.
As a self-proclaimed political buff, I'll be the first to admit this hasn't been the most electrifying campaign so far. There were the polished coffee-shop ads and shouts from officials in orange for more specialty teachers. On the streets I often encounter sentiment that Liberal incumbent Christy Clark needs to go and the NDP's Adrian Dix needs to take the helm. But when I prod further - What don't you like about Clark? What do you like about Dix? - the person usually falls silent.
It's a sad reflection on the majority of British Columbians' understanding of politics. Yes, we lead busy lives, but technology has made it easier and quicker to inform ourselves. Just as with racism, claiming ignorance is not acceptable.
On Thursday (May 2), the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA candidates will debate their points at a public forum. If you can't make the Eagle Eye Theatre at 7 p.m., The Chief will be blog live from the event. Join the conversation on the newspaper's Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtage #s2spoli. Follow the live blog at www.squamishchief.com.
You can also research the candidates on your own time by visiting their websites. Just Google the individual parties and look them up.
If you're looking for something more interactive, CBC has launched a site that aligns your views with parties' platforms. Visit the broadcaster's website http://www.cbc.ca and then search Vote Compass.
The main point is vote. Take an itsy bitsy amount of time out of your busy life, learn a bit about our candidates and mark a big X in a box. It's really that simple.
