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June 25, 2004
Canadians go to polls Monday
Informal survey by the Bulletin shows Jews to be divided
and undecided.
PAT JOHNSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
With only a few days left to make up their minds, members of British
Columbia's Jewish community seem as divided and undecided as other
Canadians over the choices in Monday's federal general election.
The Bulletin canvassed an arbitrary group of people to gather
opinions on the choices facing voters and few overriding trends
were observable. Among respondents to the Bulletin's call
for opinions, support was found for all the parties, but most of
it was lukewarm and reflected what voters deemed their least unpalatable
choice.
Shanie Levin, a retired social worker who is active in Yad b'Yad,
the Coalition on Poverty in the Jewish Community, will cast her
vote Monday for Kennedy Stewart, the NDP candidate in Vancouver-Centre.
"I am concerned about ending up with a Conservative government,"
said Levin, noting that Harper's promise of free votes on issues
like abortion would probably block legislation as the Liberals,
NDP and Bloc largely line up against the Conservative position on
this and some other issues.
Levin said she's heard a lot of platitudes from the party leaders
and is particularly concerned by promises to spend more money on
health care without clarifying any of the specifics needed to alleviate
the problems. She worries that the Conservative party's platform
has never been ratified by the new party's membership.
On the Middle East, Levin noted, all the parties have a divergence
of opinion within their ranks, but each also endorses the general
concept of a two-state solution.
"In general, all of them try to be even-handed," said
Levin.
Vancouver author Lillian Boraks-Nemetz won't say who she's going
to vote for but acknowledges that she likes what she's hearing from
Conservative leader Stephen Harper.
"I find Stephen Harper to be an intelligent and clever spokesman
for Canadians," Boraks-Nemetz said, though she didn't have
such kind words for Harper's opponents. "Layton and Martin
seem to have too many hidden agendas. Layton talks too much while
Martin is on the defensive."
Boraks-Nemetz is critical of Canadian policy toward Israel.
"So far, the Canadian government doesn't seem to have a strong
policy in the Middle East that is pro-Israel," she said. "Under
the Liberals, it has been sitting on the fence."
She also maintains that the messages coming from candidates during
the campaign probably have more to do with winning votes than representing
genuinely held beliefs.
"The party leaders make promises in order to get elected. Are
they in fact going to keep them and which one is more likely to
do so?" asked Boraks-Nemetz. "That's the one to vote for."
Sam Zivot, a new voter, has some witty criteria for selecting his
candidate.
"Whoever wears the nicest suit," said the University of
British Columbia student, who acknowledged his views are best reflected
by the Liberal party, but who sides with the Canadians who want
a change in government, although he says the sponsorship scandal
has been discussed too much. "I would be more inclined to vote
Liberal if a younger, more dynamic individual such as Brian Tobin
were the Liberal party leader."
Though critical of the Liberals, Zivot has harsh words for Harper.
"Harper is counter-progressive," said Zivot. "A threat
to women's and gay rights. The Liberal party should have exploited
these issues more."
Zivot would like to see added emphasis on physical education to
promote wellness and reduce the problems in the health-care system.
Fellow student Aaron Dewitt is wading through the platforms of the
Liberals, the NDP and the Greens, trying to decide for whom to cast
his ballot. Social issues are what will make up his mind, he said,
adding that foreign aid has not been adequately discussed in the
campaign. Though foreign policy toward Israel is an important issue,
Dewitt said it's not a deciding factor for his choice, because he
relies on Canadian Jewish lobbyists to present the case for Israel.
Dewitt's primary motivation in this election, he said, is to "keep
the right-wingers out, for god sake."
Another student, Emily Sufrin, is also undecided, and will make
up her mind based on international issues, "especially (but
not limited to) Israel and the Middle East," education, social
policies such as welfare, health-care services and publicly funded
housing, among others.
"To be perfectly honest, and I know this will come at the sincere
displeasure of many fellow Jews, but I'd likely be voting NDP if
it weren't for their stance on Israel," Sufrin replied. "I'm
very much in support of public funding and open social policies
and I find it ridiculous, really, that the political left has taken
it upon themselves to condemn the most socially liberal state in
the Middle East. It just doesn't make sense to me. Not only that,
but since, unfortunately, you can't separate such a crucial issue
from other party policies, it means that left-leaning Jewish voters
are forced to vote against their gut on issues unrelated to Israel."
Though a young voter, Sufrin has what might be considered a jaded
perspective on the promises she's hearing.
"Any government is going to have its 'scandals' and there will
always be broken promises – that's what happens," she
said. "All you're really voting for is the rhetoric that's
delivered during the campaign, so you may as well vote for whoever's
rhetoric you buy into the most."
Sally Rogow, a writer and professor emerita of education, remained
undecided a week before the election, but was leaning to the Conservatives,
based on support for Israel, the fight against terrorism and anti-Semitism.
"Stockwell Day has won my respect with his knowledgeable and
well-informed support for Israel," Rogow responded. "Paul
Martin does not impress me. He does not hesitate to criticize Israeli
defence actions." Canada's stance in the United Nations is
wishy-washy, Rogow added, saying Canada should be "standing
up for democratic, human and moral values."
Rogow had particularly harsh words for New Democrats.
"NDP candidates and their outspoken support for the Palestinians
are totally ignorant, anti-American and prejudiced," wrote
Rogow in response to the Bulletin's inquiry. "They undermine
their purported concerns for social issues."
An issue that has been inadequately addressed during the campaign,
she said, is anti-Semitism.
"It is unconscionable that in Canada, a Jewish school library
is destroyed and synagogues are obliged to hire security guards,"
Rogow stated. "The vicious incidents taking place in Europe
also need to be loudly condemned."
Someone who knows what it means to beat the bushes for votes is
Alan Herbert, a former Vancouver city councillor. He has a colorful
interpretation of politics.
"The Red party has yet to demonstrate it understands the seriousness
of their sponsorship scandal, their hideous over-spending on the
gun registry or the profligacy of the governor general," said
Herbert. "The Blue party wants to put minority rights to a
free vote in Parliament. This demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge
regarding what it means to be part of any minority population that
has ever experienced prejudice or discrimination. The Orange party
wants to raise taxes by $45 billion."
If there were a Bloc Quebecois candidate in his Vancouver riding,
Herbert said, he'd consider voting that way.
"The Red, Blue and Orange guys now running the Hill all need
a time out," said Herbert. "That, of course, is not going
to happen. That said, my vote will reflect that position."
Voters will choose their colors Monday, June 28, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
in the Pacific time zone. For the first time, West Coast voters
will be able to watch election returns on television from the moment
the polls close in Newfoundland.
Pat Johnson is a Vancouver journalist and commentator.
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