To the surprise of almost no one, and to the desire of even fewer, we are headed to a federal election May 2.
The minority Conservative government was only 29-months into its term, but as it brought down its 2011-12 budget March 22, it became rather clear it would not survive, although ultimately the budget was only the match which lit the fuse. The actual reason for the election call was a March 25 non-confidence motion put forward by the Liberals which led to the eventual election call.
It is an election, which at least out west, generally seems to be unwanted. In fact, for most it seems like a process many will be doing their best to tune out.
There are several reasons for the disinterest, and all could be problematic long term in regards to how well democracy works out here
On one hand there is growing apathy about voting, and we see that from the municipal to the federal levels. It seems more acute federally because at least in the west it is hard to see what impact we actually have on the politics of the nation. We have long recognized the government is generally elected in the populace heavy, and thus riding heavy provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and that isn't getting much better. Even in an era where minority governments appear more the norm than not, the importance of western MPs seems less significant.
There is also a general feeling our individual voices have less importance on the federal level. Locally we can talk to every member of a municipal council, and be heard. Provincially, the capital is not seen as that far down the road.
But we are a long way from Ottawa and talking to our MP who holds one vote in a very large Caucus seems to have little effect.
That of course goes back to a government, that while elected to rule for all Canadians, but are also forced to make sure they do what will best see them re-elected, and that means keeping Ontario and Quebec happiest first.
In recent years that has meant less federal attention seeming to be targeted at agriculture, and the specific needs of western farmers. That will not change as the farm vote is so small today, so do not expect farm policy to be a major platform plank for any of the parties over the next month of campaigning.
You start adding the negatives Western voters envision in terms of federal politics, and many have turned off on the idea of voting.
Now bring into consideration the issues of the current call, and we could be heading to a small turn out.
It's an election many see as ill-timed, and unlikely to alter the landscape of Parliament. No party, or its leader has exactly stepped forward through the 29-months of the just defeated government to bring the masses to their side in terms of winning a majority.
Unless some party drops the ball in a major way to turn support away, there is a feeling when we all go to bed May 2, we will still be governed by a minority government which by nature often at least appear less effective. It could be an election which will be much ado about nothing, and that could leave many of us watching TV reruns rather than voting, and that is a sad statement in terms of democracy.
