So was basically as Canadian as it gets. Jays won. Drake released a video for his #1 charted single, and at least 68% of the country turned out to vote in a federal election. All of this is just 4 days after the most Canadian thing that’s ever happened:
As with any election, emotions are running high. There will be plenty of time to get cynical. I don’t want to be cynical. I want to party.
I want to party because this election was a victory.
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Watching from the US, I’m showing this election to anyone who will listen. Not because of who won, but instead as proof that politics can be better then the shit show of circus nonsense that’s going to continue down here for another fucking year.
For the last two weeks my social media outlets have been nothing but Baseball, Drake, politics, baby photos, and Fan Duel ads. Lots of people declaring who they would vote for. Lots of people debating the issues & calling people dickheads, but a much higher number of people just declaring that they intended to vote and you should too.
I can hear the groans from here. “Ugh this election was a travesty”, “78 days of debating weather some woman can wear a niqab is a joke”, “who gives a shit about legal weed”, “all of these candidates are a joke”, “this election is a dumpster fire”. Yes. All legitimate. All less important than the fact that more people voted this time than last. The success of a democracy is not measured by who is in power but by participation of it’s constituents.
Sure, lots of people wanted to see Stephen Harper throughly ejected from office, and that happened. But the guy who’s taking his place did exactly what he should and thanked Stephen Harper for leading the country for 10 years. We should all thank Stephen Harper for leading the country for 10 years. Whatever you think of his policies, he’s done more for Canada than you ever will.
Last night the new PM said “Conservatives are not our enemies, they are our neighbors”. I will slow clap that shit all day long.
You may find it weird to be more excited about process than results. Living in a place where politics is all talking and no listening, it’s clear that process is a privilege worth fighting for, and celebrating.
