Passing the democracy torch
By John Mohan

The 2008 Canadian federal election is now in the history books. Pundits comment that little was resolved and therefore wasn't worth the $300 million expense. They're partly right. The Conservatives are still lead a minority government. The Liberals are still the loyal opposition and the NDP are still third. The Bloc won't go away and no one from the Green Party is going anywhere.

But there were some changes.

The Conservatives increased their seats and popular votes. The Liberals have less seats and the worst popular vote in their history. The NDP got more seats but no increase in votes. Stephane Dion has resigned as the Liberal Party leader. And although managing to find a place in the national leadership debate, Green Party members aren't happy with their leader Elizabeth May, which means she may be on the way out too.

A sad distinction of this campaign was that it was the lowest voter turnout Canada has had for a federal election with almost 42% of eligible citizens staying home and therefore forfeiting their right to vote. Too much turkey from the day before? Too many ballot choices? Too many good shows on Tuesday nights? Who knows.

But this was momentous election for me.

Cameron is the youngest of Brenda and my three children. He moved to Winnipeg with us and was forced to start in a second new school in the same year as a teen. He came without his siblings and moved into an apartment with us after growing up in comfortable houses, lawns with trampolines and close friends.

In the next seven years, Cameron moved from Valley Gardens Junior High to Kildonan East Collegiate, graduating two years ago. He had a small circle of friends and a part-time job at Wal-Mart. He developed a passion for art and graphic design but has never liked driving in city traffic. After a year attending a small bible college in Moose Jaw, he returned home to work as a part-time youth pastor at the New Hope Community Church and doing all the jobs nobody else wants to do at Siloam Mission. He's saving to attend a film school somewhere west or east or overseas.

Cameron is described as thoughtful and with an above average sense of humour. Children love him and he sponsors a little boy through World Vision. He provides volunteer graphic design and film editing services for small faith-based agencies and is taking a film-making workshop this winter through the Winnipeg Film Group.

Last Tuesday, Cameron accompanied his mom and me to Bertrun E. Glavin Elementary School to cast his first vote ever.

Unlike many countries, there were no armed guards, just helpful supervisors. There was no coercion or rumours of election fraud -- just contentious election staff. Cameron had, and assumed the responsibility and privilege to have a voice in the MP to represent him and which party to form our government.

I watched proudly as he presented his voter registration card and driver's licence then walked behind a voter's booth to cast his ballot. I don't know how Cameron voted. I haven't asked him. I just know he did what every Canadian should have done -- participated in the democratic election of the greatest country in the world.

Originally printed in The Winnipeg Sun October 22, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.