So I took the time to read all the platforms and here is how I would rank them:
1. NDP (best)
2. Conservative
3. Green
4. Liberal
My reasoning for this order is based on how well I thought the document was written as well as how closely it matched what I think a proposal should be. The NDP platform was concise and expressed solutions to problems in relevant sectors. The Conservatives targeted key issues (I remember seeing a huge emphasis on Aerospace – which is relevant to me) and did an over-the-top justification about how a Liberal government would screw us over. The Green’s was also concise and emphasized their willingness to work/form a collaborative and cooperative government and identified a need for significant spending in public transit. And well, the Liberal’s was an idealistic dialogue explaining how our great country needs improvement but when it came to offering solutions, all it did was say that incentives will be given or studies will be conducted.
Personally, my understanding for a proposal is that it should be a document outlining the tasks that will be undertaken and identify the results that are expected. The NDP did this very well, whereas the Liberal’s turned theirs – using a simile – into a wordy literature review that offered no substantive methods, results, or solutions.
Conclusions I have made from this exercise: I have no confidence in the Liberals forming a government for if they did, this platform provided no insight into what they would do – I could see them recklessly spending on irrelevant projects or doing busy work but not actually accomplishing anything. I admit that the strength of the NDP document was quite alluring as I was able to identify several items that are relevant to me; however, I am somewhat skeptical that they could accomplish everything that’s been promised. But mostly, I won’t vote NDP because there are numerous philosophies that I don’t agree with.
I do favour giving the Green’s a chance (Elizabeth May did an excellent interview on the Agenda yesterday), but all polls indicate that the likeliness of getting elected is slim. I however acknowledge the need for nuclear energy – perhaps it’s expensive, but Canada has the required resources and it’s efficient. So unless society figures out how to adapt to living with their lights off, we need it and must accept any consequences that are a result of this lifestyle.
So once again, if I feel that my vote may actually make a difference, I will be voting blue – it is my favourite colour after all.
