A2

By Katie Cushing

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Speak Up

And with a wave of his hand, the path of the country was changed.

Or maybe not.

Prime Minister Harper's announcement that he'd be calling a fall election was met with somewhat lacklustre enthusiasm on the part of the average New Brunswicker.

Many Canadians assume the upcoming Federal election will result in another Conservative minority.

Others assume it doesn't really matter who the big guy or gal in Ottawa is -- that Canada will continue to plod along just like it always does.

The election call caused grumbles, not only because it means a trip to the polls, which with gas prices being what they are, is indeed something to grumble about, but because it isn't supposed to happen this way.

The Saint John candidate for Harper's main rival, Liberal MP Paul Zed, says he was "surprised" by the October 14 election announcement. Last year, Zed was among the MPs who voted in new legislation that was supposed to create fixed election dates.

When Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to bypass the fixed election date, dissolve Parliament and call an election, the reasons cited were a "dysfunctional" government, which was "at the end of its productiveness."

"We have come to a moment that requires the people of Canada to choose the way forward," Harper said in an October 14 speech.

In N.B., the Conservatives currently hold two seats, the Liberals seven, and the NDP one. Several of the ridings were narrowly lost last time by the Conservatives, however, it's a problem they hope to rectify in the upcoming election.

The Conservatives say the key issues of this election are sovereignty, leadership, environment, health care, lower taxes, childcare, tackling crime and accountability. The Liberals have focused on what they call "The Green Shift Plan," calling for more environmental responsibility, although local candidates have chosen for the most part to downplay the Green Shift and focus on economy and sustainability.

"We have some future challenges," says Zed. "We have an unacceptable level of poverty." In N.B., anything other than a Liberal or a Conservative vote is often seen as a throwaway vote.

Fredericton's Green Party representative Mary Lou Babineau knew she was fighting an upward battle when she threw her hat in the ring.

"We're going in with the premise that we can win," Babineau says.

In her campaigning door to door, Babineau says three themes have come up again and again: 1) people are fed up with politics, 2) they believe politicians are all the same, and 3) they're curious about the Green Party. Babineau has been able to capitalize on that third factor. With Green Party leader Elizabeth May's face splashed all over the news following a debate debacle earlier this month, Babineau says people have been eager, no matter their political affiliation, to talk with her.

"We're not a one issue party," says Babineau, whose extended family members have asked her questions like, "Isn't that the marijuana party?" and "Aren't Green Party people just a bunch of tree hugging atheists?"

"In New Brunswick, we have a challenge of economic development," says Babineau.

Saint John NDP candidate Tony Mowery is also fighting an uphill battle in his riding -- his predecessor came in more than 10,000 votes shy of winning. He says he got into politics five years ago because he was tired of standing on the sidelines and watching the "ridiculous waste of money."

"I understand where the average citizen is coming from," says Mowery, who has worked as a call centre operative, pouring cement, cutting steel, substitute teaching and as a private security consultant. "We're going to try to give people here in New Brunswick value for their money."

In N.B., at least, it's difficult to determine which way the wind will blow. Will people vote PC or Liberal? Will they venture all little ways off the beaten path and dip their toes in something new? Or will they choose to opt out, keep their cars in the garage and save on fuel costs and the recycling of ballots?

Katie Cushing is still undecided as to which of the above-mentioned options she will be pursuing.