As I was writing this article, nearly eighteen months have passed since the Federal election that saw the Liberals swept into power under the leadership of (now) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  

This, in my opinion as I have said in the past, was a major victory for Labour across the country.  

While the popularity of the Liberals has dropped down to 42% nationally compared to 34% for the Conservatives, I still prefer the current situation rather than having to deal with what we had prior to the election—with the relentless attacks on Labour. 

Don’t let the media fool you: 

Liberals do respect Labour 

Many people out there are not happy with various Liberal economic, social, energy or other policies. Yet they have not attacked Labour, and they have lived up to their promises on turning back the anti-Labour legislation in Bills 377 and 525.  

We can’t let the media make us believe that everything they are doing is hurting us. 

The media, as we all know, is relentless on attacking any government that is not right-wing when it comes to policies or the introduction of legislation.   

And the media are even worse if elected representatives or other public officials—indeed any government body, whether it be federal or provincial and even municipal—does or says anything that is Labour-friendly.  

Unfortunately, these media giants get a lot of support from those who benefit from these right-wing and anti-Labour policies and legislation.  

Each and every one of us is bound to find some proposal or policy coming at any level of government to disagree with or would do differently. 

The media has a way of focusing our attention on individual wedge issues that divide us. They paint a picture that the sky is falling and the world will come to an end if we continue to support those who currently support us. 

But right now, our national government does support us in the big picture. They are a friend to Labour. 

Yet it is only after we lose a Labour-friendly government, or do not get one elected, that we realize the grass is not always greener on the other side, so to speak.  

We have to look beyond the individual issues and look at the whole picture. 

Yes, we may not like everything the government is doing. But at the end of the day, we must look at what is not happening: Labour is not under attack. 

If our wages and benefits are not being attacked… if our ability to continue to earn a decent wage and maintain a decent standard of living is not being attacked… if in the future there is an opportunity for retirement with a decent pension because we were not being attacked… then we have to look beyond individual issues. 

We have to see the whole picture and support those who support us—not those who would attack and divide us. 

This year in Canada there will be approximately 35 different types of elections taking place across the country. These include election of school trustees and the many municipal and provincial elections, as well as the federal, provincial or other by-elections that may be called when vacancies occur.  

It is our responsibility to participate, to exercise our right to vote in all of the above. At any level, an election determines who will choose the laws and programs that determine our lives and our future. 

I ask that when an election is being held with in your jurisdiction that you participate. Take a minute to research all the candidates. Find out what their position is on the issues that affect you and your family. Find out what their position is on your union.  

Ask the questions that affect you and your future. 

I will not tell anyone who to vote for, but I can say that no candidate or party is 100 percent perfect. 

In Labour, we are hands-on, practical people. Sometimes we have to vote for a party or a person once all the circumstances are taken into consideration—once we look at the whole picture. 

Most important, we must participate. We must become active by getting involved.   

And each of you must exercise your democratic right to vote. At least then, if you find a point of disagreement, you have the right to question your elected representatives on his or her actions or positions on any issue—such as whether they see Labour as something to support or to attack. 

Fraternally, 

James Jackson 

Director of Canadian Affairs 

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