Vote Tory - why or why not?

Albertans are conservative. This is no big surprise. Recently my wife and I were discussing politics when she related a story to me that should not have shocked me but indeed it has. While at work, she is a nurse, a bunch of nurses, clerical staff and others were engaged in political conversation. Most were stating who they would vote for etc etc. My wife and I take this voting business quite seriously and like many Canadians are struggling with our unwillingness to vote conservative and our unwillingness to vote Liberal after the recent fiascos. Whatever we decide to do we will do so based on our own research. We will have some inkling as to what is involved in the various party platforms and what the national AND local track records of our respective candidates are.

Back to the shocker. The majority of the people my wife works with are voting conservative (not shocking) – but they don’t know why (shocking). The small minority of people who were not voting conservative asked the majority why they were voting Tory and they generally had no idea. It seems it was just the thing to do.

The conservatives are now seen as the likely victors. Below are excerpts from their campaign and platform. Not intended to be positive or negative. Whichever way you go at least the below should help you justify your position.

Things to expect from the conservatives:

• GST from 7% to 6% and eventually 5% over 5 years (already planning for the next election).


• National network of provincial/federal child care is gone (4.8 B gone). To be replaced by $1200 per year (which may be more or less I have no idea).


• Gun registry is gone.


• People in the lowest income bracket are now taxed at 15%, that will increase to 16%.


• Lower corporate tax (markets already responding).


• Basic personal exemption will be decreased by $400.


• 44.9 B in tax savings.


• 30 B in new spending.


• Bye bye Kyoto hello American style made in Canada pollution standards (some American standards are quite good).


• November meeting in Kelowna outlining various native treaties and land claims issues will be scrapped. No word yet on the 5.1 B promised to help out with brutal housing conditions, poor education, etc etc.


• Indian Act gone.


• 22.5 B in government cuts and spending.


• Government spending capped at inflation/ population growth rate.

There you have it. Stay informed.

PS: People who vote for NDP or Green etc are not wasting votes. Canadians who choose not to vote are wasting votes. The next person who tells me anyone who votes anything other that Tory or Grit is wasting votes is getting smacked in the mouth.