It's tempting to roll over and push the snooze button on the federal election.
After all, the Oct. 19 election date is a long way away and the constant attack ads are annoying. It's only summer, time for family picnics and hanging out at the beach, not studying national issues that we are dimly aware of at the best of times.
But trust us, it's worth staying awake for this one and here's why.
First, your vote is worth more. With the recent riding redistribution, New Westminster was excised from our electoral area, meaning voters in Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam will have two MPs who are devoted exclusively to their issues, one for the western half (Port-Moody-Coquitlam), another for the eastern half (Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam).
Second, there will be some new faces on the hustings and it will be worth getting to know them. NDP MP Fin Donnelly has a challenge ahead of him after losing his New Westminster base, so a re-election isn't a certainty, and Conservative flag-bearer Tim Laidler will need to be scrutinized, along with Liberal Jessie Adcock and Green Party candidate Marcus Madsen.
Similarly, next door in Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, veteran MP James Moore is leaving politics so voters will need to review the resumes of his would-be replacements, including Sarah Norman for the NDP, Brad Nickason for the Green Party and Liberal Ron McKinnon. A Conservative candidate has yet to be picked but Doug Horne, Coquitlam-Burke Mountain BC Liberal, has the highest profile of those who've declared their intentions to run.
Finally, you need to pay attention to this election because it's costing you a bundle.
The extended election period means the parties can spend double what they would have paid to run their campaigns, about $50 million instead of $25 million, and because donations are tax refundable, you'll pay more.
The Conservatives also dished out plenty prior to the writ drop, including money to remediate Blakeburn lagoons and the Barnet landfill, and $12.5 million for the PoCo rec complex rebuild. Great projects but that's your money they are giving back in hopes of collecting some votes.
At the very least, this cash layout shows what's at the heart of politics and the reason for you to pay attention: Whoever wins gets to decide how your taxes are spent.
