Philip Jong

On January 23, 2006, Canadians will cast their votes for a new federal government. For the past two months, politicians from all political parties had campaigned hard to win the confidence of their voters. The lofty promises, the murky platforms, the rumbling leaders’ debates, and the negative campaigns fill the media in attempt to influence the minds of undecided Canadians. Recent polls suggest that this election is a close race between the Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada, with the New Democratic Party and Bloc Québécois trailing behind. Yet, as the Election Day draws closer, Canadians also begin to question how much changes will truly happen in the national political landscape in the aftermath that will impact on their lives. This may be the case if the election again leads to the formation of a minority rather than majority government. The fallout of this unwanted election result will be more political dealing and wheeling between the parties afterward that will only result in yet another dysfunctional government. The downside of democracy in this election may be the fact Canadians will not have an unified government that will function with an unifying agenda for the betterment of its citizens.