IATSE 3rd 2019_web

Why Should I Bother?
This unfortunately is the answer that is provided all too often when you ask
somebody if they are planning to vote in an election. It doesn’t even seem to
matter what type of election it is, there has been a growing level of apathy
occurring throughout the populations of both the United States and Canada
when it comes to voter participation.
JAMES B. WOOD
During the 2016 Presidential Election, the voter turnout
rate was approximately 58% of the U.S. population that was
eligible to vote. The participation rate in Canadian federal
elections has averaged in the area of 60% for the five elections
prior to the 2015 election.
Not going to the polls and casting a vote is something I
have never personally understood. Since the time I turned
eighteen and first became eligible to vote, I have fulfilled what
I felt was my democratic duty and cast a ballot in every election
in which I have been entitled to vote. While I knew it was
my right, I always viewed it more as a privilege.
The system is far from perfect. Those we elect often break
their promises and appear to not represent the views of the
majority. It is easy to become disillusioned. However, the one
thing that is certain is that politicians want to keep their jobs
and they know that every few years they need to “consult”
with the electorate and they have to survive a “job evaluation”
otherwise known as an election. If they thought that 100% of
their constituency was going to vote then their policies would
reflect the views of the majority of their constituency, if only
because they want to be re-elected.
I have no problem living by the will of the majority, that’s
the foundation of democracy, but when all of us do not make
our views known by voting then it is difficult to get changes
made. Have you ever wondered why you read about a poll on
an issue where an overwhelming majority of people believe
something should change and yet the politicians do nothing?
The simple fact is that they are not worried about the views of
the entire population they are only concerned about satisfying
a simple majority of those that their polling models show as
likely voters. If 100% of eligible voters were actually going to
the polls then politicians would be in sync with the majority
views of society.
At the beginning of this message I referred to the average
of past Canadian federal elections. However, in the 2015 federal
election, almost 70% of eligible Canadian voters went to
the polls and cast their votes. Much of that increase was the
result of a more activist attitude by labour and that included
IATSE members and their local unions. The result was the
removal from office of the long-standing party in power and
their anti-labour agenda and a landslide victory for the Liberal
party and their much more progressive views on labour issues.
As a result of the higher participation by labour the Liberals
have instituted a number of positive changes for workers since
their election. When you vote, the politicians see the results
and address your issues and concerns.
On October 21, 2019 Canadians will once again have the
opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box. A
little over a year later on Tuesday November 3, 2020 our membership
in the United States will have their opportunity. In
these upcoming elections and all levels of future ones, I encourage
you to make a positive difference by ensuring that you
and all eligible voters in your household participate and go to
the polls to cast your votes. Make your opinion count!
WWW.IATSE.NET
THIRD QUARTER 2019 7