Countdown to the 2009 Municipal Election…

By Greg Hluska

Hey Regina, guess what? Only 36.47% of eligible voters voted in the 2006 municipal election. Granted, this is over 11% higher than the turnout in the 2003 municipal election (when Pat Fiacco was acclaimed mayor), but it is still pretty damned pathetic.  Guess what, Regina?  Roughly one in three residents picked who got to lead the city for the last three years.  So, what is the problem?

Don’t civil issues matter to you?  What about a new domed stadium?  Whoever wins this election will be in the driver’s seat when all the choices are made.  What about affordable housing?  Whoever wins this election will have to take action, or the Regina economy is going to end up in a very dark place.  What about the anti-panhandling laws that Dr. Garson Hunter so eloquently covered in his most recent Poverty Paper?  Whoever wins this election will be in the driver’s seat when that silly tag day permit comes up for review.  What about North Central Regina?  Whoever wins this election will have to decide whether to celebrate that area’s beauty or to write it off as ‘not worth saving’.

This election matters, so please, make a commitment to vote and while you’re at it, make a commitment to get at least one or two other people to vote with you. I will not insult you by presuming to tell you who to vote for.  However, I will beg and plead to get you to vote.

Remember, not voting is not a form of protest.  If you are truly that pissed off with the state of electoral politics in Regina, spoil your ballot.  If you do not think that the candidates will be relevant to you, run!  But please, Regina, get involved in democracy!!