Page 5 October 2008

OPINION

UPEI Cadre

Election time begs a question of how to vote

Question of whether to vote as an Islander or as a Canadian arises on province

What are you, an Islander or a Canadian?

It’s probably not a question you’ve thought about often, but maybe you should. Especially around election time.

What is meant by this is, when you stand before the bal- lot, thinking about who you should mark an X beside, are you thinking about your province or your country?

There is no wrong answer, really. One’s allegience is completely subjective, and often, not so black and white. Prince Edward Island is a prime example of the voting

process at its best.

Many political analysts would tell Islanders it would be wise to elect a Conservative candidate, but the Liberal party has time and time again proven to have a significant stronghold on the Island voters.

To date, P.E.I.’s representative in Parliament is New Glasgow, N.S. golden child Peter McKay, while our three (with one vacant seat) MPs fight with the opposition.

Nonetheless, Islanders up to this point have been more than pleased with their Liberal elects, and this reflects the Island majority’s sense to vote for what they know.

Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s point that the Island needs an Islander in Ottawa, the Conservatives are faced with an uphill battle.

P.E.I. is Liberal territory and in at least two ridings the Liberal stronghold has no sign of letting up. Lawrence MacAulay has established himself well in Ottawa, and has won the favour of many of this within his riding.

Shawn Murphy, as evident in the recent debate held at UPEI, is not done yet, and still has a lot of fight in him.

Again the question of whether or not to vote as an Islander or a Canadian needs to be asked.

How beneficial would'a Conservative be in Ottawa,

assuming the Conservatives find themselves in the driver’s _

seat again mid-October?

Or is it better to stick with those who have consistently proven themselves as willing to take a stand for the Island?

Which way is better for P.E.I?

Which way is better for Canada?

Are we all Islanders, or Canadians?

Whatever happens at the end of the election, P-E.I. is going to have an interesting four years.

B.C. Liberals: big mistake on

VICTORIA (CUP) -- The B.C. provincial government has made a significant cut to post-secondary education funding, translating into a 2.6 per cent budget cut per school.

In Nanaimo, Malaspina University-College plans to make up for their losses through layoffs and cutting programs, while on the mainland, Vancouver Community College will lose $5.8 million. That's 36 instructors and programs for 1,000 students.

The government says the cuts were made because

funding cuts

with a booming economy where jobs are available, post-secondary enrolment has dropped.

But the cyclical economy is already showing signs of slowing down and as seen before, enrolment goes up in times of an economic slump.

The Liberal government is making a big mistake.

With the federal govern- ment running a $10 billion surplus the B.C. Liberals should-have been trying to reach into their deep pock- ets to help improve post- secondary education

instead.

But yet again our colleges and universities we will have to play catch-up with the rest of Canada and the world.

Editorial by Kristian Dart, Nexus (Camosun College)

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