Politics with Pointers from Owen Minns
Given the authority we have granted our governments, politics and the selection of public leadership is of critical importance to our present and our future, as individuals, families, organisations, communities, and even as a species. Poor direction can diminish our enjoyment of our own lives, while effective management can substantially enhance our existence.
Sections of this page: Canadian Federal Election 2006, Canadian Federal Election 2004, and Toronto Municipal Election 2003.
Canadian Federal Election 2006
Polls across Canada were open on 2006-01-23-Monday for a federal general election. The result was a minority victory for the Conservative Party. See further discussion of these 2006 election results.
Canadian Federal Election 2004
Canadians from coast to coast to coast voted at more than 65 k polls across Canada on 2004-06-28-Monday in a federal general election. The result was a minority victory for the incumbent Liberal government. See further discussion of these 2004 election results.
Toronto Municipal Election 2003
Until 2006, municipal elections in Ontario were held every three years. On 2003-11-10-Monday, Toronto residents and taxpayers had the opportunity to elect a mayor, a city council and school board trustees for the 'megacity' of Toronto (amalgamated just before the turn of the century. The date for this local-level showdown was set long in advance, and claims of overshadowing by the Ontario provincial election proved unfounded.
In 2000, Toronto elected Mel Lastman Mayor, and this indulgence haunted our city on many occassions (e.g., 2008 Olympic bid gaffes, SARS vapidity). Judged by experience, aptitude and platform, our best bet for mayor in 2003 was David Miller, a City Councillor who has proved his readiness for higher office. Fortune shone upon Toronto, we voted wisely, and were rewarded with Miller as our Mayor.
It is worth noting that John Tory (site unavailable as of 2004-01-20) also ran a respectable campaign and has demonstrated some of the qualities of good political leaders. If he combines these skills with better policies (i.e., become more people- and future-friendly, even at some cost to corporate friendships) he might make a good choice in some future election.
