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The_elections _Are_Over

Feature Article April 29

Editorial June 30/04

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The elections are over, the elections are over

Our year of elections has now ended, although with a minority Liberal government that will be precarious even if held together by the New Democrats, another election could come at any time. If that happens, they will be facing a vote-weary public who have undergone a provincial, municipal, and federal election in a nine- month time span.

In the run-up to Mondays federal election, the five candidates each took part in nine all-candidates meetings; meetings with editorial boards of papers in Ottawa and Kingston; an early morning radio station interview; and numerous interviews with newspapers small and large. To my knowledge, none of them refused an appearance request except where there was a scheduling conflict, and they responded to the media within a very reasonable time frame, keeping publications deadlines in mind.

Certainly, here at the News we have had easy access to all the candidates and their campaign teams have all been extremely helpful in arranging all-candidates meetings.

They have also extended courtesy to each other, even defending each other against what they considered unfair questioning on occasion. While there were many disagreements at all-candidates meetings that we sponsored, there was little if any personal griping between the candidates, in marked contrast to the tone and content of the national campaign.

The candidates also each had a personal reason for running, and a personal political agenda, which they were willing to share with our readers and the general public.

There is much reason for people to be cynical about the political process and there is no reason to believe the winning parties, if there really were any, will follow through on their promises.

However on a riding level, the five candidates, including the two incumbents, were forthcoming and refreshingly honest about what they had done and what they hoped to accomplish if elected. They are to be commended for their commitment to the political process, even if the process itself is seriously flawed.

With the participation of the Government of Canada