Dear editor,
Democracy is defined in many ways. Different cultures (surprise?) often define democracy differently. However, in Canada, on our parliamentary website democracy is defined as follows:
In a “democratic country, all eligible citizens have the right to participate, either directly or indirectly, in making the decisions that affect them. Canadian citizens normally elect someone to represent them in making decisions at the different levels of government.”
Historically, many would argue that citizens “right to participate” includes being able to question each candidate prior to the election, in an all candidate meeting. In fact our soldiers have fought and died for this right.
Unfortunately, in many ridings across Canada, not all candidates have shown up for these meetings. One would hope that voters take into account which candidates and parties, showed up, and which did not, in making their decision in the Oct. 19 general election.
Steven Faraher-Amidon
Comox