Timing of Earth Day and Surrey's Vaisakhi parade may have an impact on federal election
It's only day three of the federal election campaign, and so far, the environment has not emerged as a significant issue.
When times are tough, voters tend to focus on pocketbook issues, so that shouldn't come as a surprise.
However, this election will occur 10 days after Earth Day on April 22. That's when climate change tends to generate the most amount of media attention.
This spring, Australian scientist and global-warming activist Tim Flannery will be releasing another book.
Flannery, the head of Australia's Climate Change Commission, has been a frequent critic of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's reluctance to address global warming. Flannery will no doubt be firing salvos at the Conservatives again, which will likely generate coverage in the broadcast and print media.
The other parties will also exploit this because Harper has been out of step with public opinion on climate change ever since he took power. He's not going to enjoy a great deal of focus on the topic shortly before the election.
For voters in Newton-North Delta, there's another event on the calendar that could also have political ramifications.
The annual Vaisakhi parade to celebrate the birth of the Khalsa takes place in Surrey on April 23, just nine days before voting day.
Last year, the local MP, Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal, was the only federal politician to join the militant Sikh Surrey parade organizers on the stage.
Unlike the annual Vancouver parade, the Surrey event often celebrates Sikh "martyrs" including Talwinder Singh Parmar, who reputedly masterminded the 1985 Air India bombing. In the past, the Surrey parade has also honoured the Sikh assassins of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Dhaliwal's decision to go on stage came after one of the organizers, Inderjit Singh Bains, told a Punjabi-language radio station that officials couldn't guarantee the safety of Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh and B.C. Liberal MLA Dave Hayer if they showed up.
That prompted Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to demand an apology from the organizers.
Is Dhaliwal going to do the same thing this year and join the militants on the stage? If so, will this alienate moderate Sikhs in his constituency or earn a rebuke from his leader?
Newton-North Delta is usually one of the most closely fought ridings in the region. The NDP is hoping for a breakthrough by running former B.C. Teachers' Federation president Jinny Sims, who is their first Punjabi-speaking candidate in Newton-North Delta.
The staging of the Vaisakhi parade so close to election day has added an intriguing element into the mix.
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
Comments
9 Comments
The Canadian Economy under Conservative management
Mar 29, 2011 at 2:43pm
The rich will continue to get richer, because government gives them all the breaks except during an election where families may pick up promises of things to come. What do Canadians have to look forward to in their Oil Producing Nation after Harper sold Petro Canada and Canadians oil interests in Libya to Sun cor? Increased commodity prices, and thousands and thousands of jobs will be lost as inflation takes its bite and China isn't buying anyone's junk to better protect their economy, no way. As Canadians and Americans struggle with the cost of fuel. The cost of food has already gone up and so has clothing. The increased prices just hasn't hit the shelves or asiles yet but they will and again increase as the cost of fuel takes it toil on the economy. Interest rates will have to go up and Canadians will have to pay the price, something they cannot afford. And we haven't even touched on quanative easing which will cut Canadians down to size, as interest rates will have to rise again to keep inflation further intact. The HST isn't a big hit either as Harper promises no knew taxes and then makes a deal with the provinces to do just that.
will penning
Mar 30, 2011 at 6:34pm
It is shameful that Dhaliwal joined these
militant Sikhs onstage. He is a do-nothing
politician, who barely has a grasp on the issues. He does not represent the Delta
community's concerns, rather, the Asian
community's concerns in Surrey. He should run for Surrey, not North Delta.
Paul Singh
Mar 31, 2011 at 11:18am
I will vote for Mr. Dhaliwal, he is a great man and a leader for our community!!!
William Smith
Mar 31, 2011 at 10:38pm
I dont know how the author of the article can call the parade organizers militant when it was a Gurdwara (Temple) that were the organizers. That is just terrible journalism. If I recall the Mayor of Surrey not only approved the parade but also attended. Every community have individuals that have personal agendas who do not represent the entire community but because of journalist like the above they get all the attention. The Sikh community are a valuable member of Canadian Society and deserve to be respected.
A Humble Canadian
Apr 5, 2011 at 9:47am
Mr. Dhaliwal is a true maverick, who cares about miniorities , and act accordingly, unlike his counterparts, who are always on their toes to denounce the community to polish their career. I think everybody is welcome to celebrate BAISAKHI, not only Sukh, I heard that JINNY SIMS is quite eager to celebrate BAISAKHI , in the above said celebrations and she will sure be present there too. This article seems a perfect example of yellow journalism , unable to depict the authentic picture, forget about to go into the deptrh of the situation. Media is a holy profession, a educational institute for society, don't contaminate it with selfish and narrow motives and please refrain it to use it as a tool to gain narrow political ends. Try your calibre to educate the mases of positive messages .
Perry
Apr 5, 2011 at 1:04pm
this has to be the most bias and worst excuse for journalism iv ever seen....
mohinder panun
Apr 20, 2011 at 9:01am
The organizers Are Management of Gurdwaras and they should not be called militants or extremists. Every Community Have its Hero's. And As for as Indera Gandhi's Essination Goes ,One has to be a Sikh to Know What she did to them. we can all play politics till it hits us.
kevin D
Apr 24, 2011 at 5:32pm
I have dealt with and have relations with the sikh community so I understand this politics a little bit. The sikh community know their own politician better than we do and know the back grounds and who they really are. So when they decide to not to support those people for example Ujjal Donanj then those politicans turn around and try to play dirty politcs by using media and feeding them incorrect bias.
Apr 25, 2011 at 9:07am
I will vote for sukh dhaliwal come election day