I’m writing this column after I’ve just been at the advance polling station casting my ballot with some amount of trepidation.
I wish I had a crystal ball.
I did my research on the parties, platforms and candidates and put a lot of thought into it and I was still wavering in the final moments with my pen poised over the ballot.
It’s tough.
Never before in my lifetime (or at least in my memory) has there been so much choice, so many issues and the province in such economic disrepair.
Now that this paper is out, it’s the day after the election, and for better or worse, the matter has been decided.
I have my own political opinions but I won’t say which outcome I hoped for, but I will say what I hope not to see: bitterness, anger, lashing out, in forms such as property damage or delinquent behaviour.
What Alberta needs is relief, not neighbours fighting against neighbours.
No matter who has won, there’s bound to be some people who will be upset.
When Trump won the U.S. election, some crazy, unthinkable things began to happen.
You wouldn’t think things like that would happen in Alberta, but this province is at a boiling point and can’t take much more bad news or hard times.
Vandalism of election signs in Red Deer is a sign that our infamous Canadian politeness is slipping.
Albertans want change, whether they base that hope on the current government living up to promises it started to make in its election campaign, or on a newcomer sitting on the provincial throne.
However the political stage looks after Election Day, I hope all Albertans will fulfill their roles as good citizens well and do their part to get this province moving towards recovery.
No matter the outcome on Tuesday night, I at least rest easy in the knowledge that Albertans are hardworking, resourceful people that can weather a storm.
After all, the show must go on and who better than Albertans to pick ourselves up and keep on moving?
If your party of choice did not win, smile and congratulate your neighbour who had the annoyingly enormous sign on their front lawn anyways.
If you disagree with the new government’s policies, then don’t stop at the ballot. Enough voices raised in peaceful protest has, and can again, make a difference.
Write your MLA and attend town meetings and councils.
You can make your own community better by volunteering, fundraising for worthy causes and becoming aware of the local issues.
Above all, let’s make sure that Alberta doesn’t turn into the circus that the federal arena is currently putting on.