Letter to the editor

Standing up for Canada – At the recent Cranbrook debate, our former NDP MP refused to stand for the National Anthem — it was sung by a Liberal. Not a good look for a former MP. It completely misses the moment.

This isn’t politics as usual. This election is about the survival of Canada as we know it—our economy, our democracy, and our very sovereignty are at risk.

American protectionism is already hammering our region.

• Softwood lumber tariffs are hurting Joe and are going up to 34%;
• Columbia Brewery is rumoured to be laying off shifts;
• Transportation jobs in Cranbrook have already been lost.

And there’s much more coming!

We are staring down the worst recession since the early ’90s, when Canada lost massive swaths of its manufacturing base.  And what are progressives doing?  Arguing about who is the strategic vote.

Let’s be clear: this time, here in the Kootenays, every indicator shows the Liberals leading.  Even local Green leader Andy Shadrack is urging strategic voters to back the Liberals—just like he did in 1993 when national NDP support collapsed, and the Liberals overtook the NDP in this very riding. Tom Mulcair, as well, is saying Liberal is the strategic vote.

We hear it at the doors every day:

“I’ve voted NDP for 40 years. This time, I’m voting Liberal.”

Our NDP friends have been allies in many past elections.  Liberals in this riding have stepped up and voted NDP to block Conservatives.  This time, it’s the NDP’s turn.  Because:

• Liberal supporters are voting Liberal. In this riding, this time, they are NOT strategically voting NDP. Thats a big NDP voting block that’s gone.
• Soft Tories – worried that one in five Conservatives want the US to annex Canada – are turning to Carney. They won’t turn NDP.
• Undecided centrists are backing the only leader ready for the crisis, and his energetic, local candidate, Reggie Goldsbury.

Let’s stop the partisan bickering.  Let’s face the facts.  We don’t live in a vacuum.  What’s happening in the rest of Canada is happening here.

We need to take our heads out of the sand—and elect in the only progressive with a chance of winning.

I commend all the candidates who are standing up. This time, to protect our country and our community, the vote is Liberal.  The vote is Reggie Goldsbury.

And Wayne – Let’s stand up for Canada.

Sharron Billey,

Cranbrook

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