In the lead up to the 2021 federal election, Doppler invited local residents to tell us why they support their chosen party. We’ll publish their responses throughout this week, in random order.
By Riley McEntee
When it comes to your health, we can all agree that it encompasses your teeth, eyes, and mind — the whole body — so why is it not included in our healthcare system? Not to mention, we are one of the few with a healthcare system that does not include dental, eye, and/or mental healthcare. Of course, people will ask “but where will the money come from?” To that I say, when you have a problem (i.e. undiagnosed mental illness, broken teeth, poor eyesight) and you let it fester, it gets much worse — and more expensive to fix. If you were to have resolved the problem in the first place (i.e. make it accessible and free/affordable for people to seek help), it would be more cost-effective on the healthcare system. Not only that, these are real people with real problems — never lose sight of the human suffering that comes without universal healthcare. This is why I support the NDP.
Additionally, we exist in a serious class disconnect.
When the NDP talks about adding additional taxes to the “super-rich”, it will never affect the people who cry wolf about it. to those who do cry wolf, do you make under ten million a year? Yes? Then you will benefit from this. Your taxes will not increase, and in the coming years your accessibility to much-needed services will expand. As residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka, we should know that this is something we need: rent is increasing, you can forget about buying a home if you haven’t already, wages are essentially stagnant, and unemployment keeps going up — especially after this last year and a half. These are all major concerns for Jagmeet Singh and the NDP, but especially for local candidate, Heather Hay.
Lastly, climate change. It cannot be ignored anymore.
The economy of Parry Sound-Muskoka is held up by how breathtaking, richly biodiverse, and natural our community is. Once the effects of climate change are visible here and our economy takes a fall from grace, how will our families be supported? Furthermore, the fight against climate change is so much bigger than ourselves: fires are tearing from the West towards Central Canada, food insecurity and water pollution are on the rise in our many remote communities, and natural habitats are being encroached upon and lost daily. All of these areas of existential concern are top of the list for the NDP, both locally and federally.
There is so much more that the NDP stands for, but these three stand out the most: universal health care, increased taxation on exorbitant wealth, and tackling environmental existentialism caused by climate change. Other major areas of their platform to note are: reconciliation, aid for students, ensuring care for our aging population, affordability in housing, and more.
See the NDP platform here.
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Excellent points, Riley McEntee.
I would like to add:
For all those who usually vote Liberal, but would like to vote NDP in this election – Vote your consciences today, please.
Forget cynical data and cries of ‘splitting the base’.
EVEN IF the NDP doesn’t win, and EVEN IF the PC party lands a majority … does it matter? We’ll have another election in 4 years or less.
I don’t dislike Trudeau – until lately I was a staunch supporter. But we all know Canadians don’t WANT an election right now, and Trudeau undoubtedly knows it too. Which is why the election is on. His ‘people’ think we’ll be apathetic and either not vote, or vote to keep the status quo.
You can’t be a leader and make decisions based solely on the data. Once that happens, you have to go.
So, what if the NDP DID win? Imagine giving someone like Singh – who has undeniable intelligence, empathy and LIFE experience – the top job? Imagine shaking the whole thing up?
Heather Hay would make an excellent rep for Parry Sound/Muskoka, and I think we should take the chance on Jagmeet Singh and the NDP – but most importantly, I would ask everyone – forget the data.
Please vote your consciences today.
It’s an unwanted election held during a pandemic – the best we can do is vote and let the chips fall where they may.
Bravo, Riley McEntee; these are well-stated priorities from my perspective too! Attention to the most important social and economic issues of this time. Plus an added advantage of a personable, relatable leader.
Good luck NDPartiers!