The Canadian federal election is looming. And it seems to have cast an election bubble over Vancouver Island, BC where progressives are dividing their votes between NDP, Green and yes, even Liberal.
Most of the ridings on Vancouver Island have been a battleground between the Conservatives and the NDP for years. And many have seen the vote splitting drama play out before.
Today’s Tyee article, Enviro Leaders: Vote NDP in These Five Island Ridings, written by Tzeporah Berman, former director of Greenpeace Internationals Climate Program, Naomi Devine past communications director for Dr. Andrew Weaver’s Green Party of BC campaign, and Valerie Langer, who has been in the forefront of BC conservation campaigns for over 25 years, says what many here on the Island already know…
“Vancouver Island has seen a lot of debate about voting strategically versus voting for a candidate or party. We’re making a final pitch for strategic voting for two reasons:
1. The only realistic option for shutting out Harper on the Island is to vote Green in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, and vote NDP in the other five Island ridings where it is an NDP vs. Conservative race.
2. Doing so is also the best option we have to reduce the likelihood that we’ll have to vote strategically in the next election.
On the first point, the fact is that the federal Liberals aren’t strong enough on the Island to elect any MPs. The Greens, despite a valiant effort, are stuck at least 10 points away from any seats outside of Elizabeth May’s and Victoria. But, both are strong enough to command one-quarter of the electorate between them, thereby making the Conservatives competitive with the NDP.”
Full article HERE