It is 2019 and Canadians will be going to the polls before year's end. I don't know yet how I am voting but I know how I am not.
I confess, I voted Liberal in the last election, the first time in my life. I had typically followed my family's tradition of Conservatives but had grown disillusioned by their many years of power with our country sinking deeper and deeper into something I didn't like.
My biggest gripe was how our veterans were being treated. More and more they were considered simply as a liability, expensive to maintain, not how they should be remembered, considering the sacrifices they make to protect Canadian borders and address threats abroad. I admit, this topic runs close to my heart as I am a veteran in a long line of veterans in my family. And I suffered injuries in my time of service.
I am lucky that my injuries are not as debilitating as many of my brothers and sisters-in-arms, but they have a negative impact on my quality of life.
So, I wasn't happy with the Conservative dedication to this visible minority so, despite the Liberal's miserable track record of dedication to our troops, I felt any change would shake up attitudes on the hill. I was expecting the Liberals to squeak in a victory but it seems many other Canadians felt as I did and Trudeau was handed a sweeping win.
This appears to have gone to his head because, rather than use his majority government to do some great things for Canada, what has he done?
Paid way too much for a pipeline most Canadians don't want
Given 10 million dollars to a known terrorist
Fought veterans on the rehabilitation and pensions they deserve
Allowed Veteran's Affairs to delay repaying money owed to veterans as a result of their mistake, by more than a year (this is money needed to support themselves when they are denied other benefits)
Spent money to repatriate citizens who left Canada to fight for terrorist organizations AGAINST CANADIANS
Continued to force returning, injured veterans to have to fight (for years in many cases), for pensions and support service
instituted the Carbon tax, with no clear plan on how the proceeds will be used to benefit the environment
Disrespecting citizens by ignoring their legitimate questions by only spewing bullshit lines of party sales pitch
My list of reasons goes on but justifies how I am not going to vote.
I have little faith in the Conservatives but, with a new leader and a sound beating at the polls last time, maybe they are ready to put Canadian taxpayers ahead of their cronies and big business.
NDP? I see nothing appealing in their platform.
When I go to the polls, I will be remembering these things.