It is different here!
No I am not talking about the weather (though I do want to add that this morning I looked at the weather and had the dilemma of whether or not to wear a turtleneck. I decided not. After all, it might be 55 today! Winter is coming!)
No the difference that is hitting me today is that we have reached the middle of our election season! It started just a few weeks ago. The season only lasts 50 days here.
Yes, you read that right. 50 DAYS! And there are limits to how much the parties can spend—all of which makes this so much more sane!
And different!
Last week I saw that up close. There was a conversation at the Wolfville Farmers Market among the candidate for our riding. (That is like a precinct for you down south!) Right there among the vegetables, and the people eating supper and the musicians playing 3 of the candidates discussed farm sustainability and climate change.
Right off the bat you saw what was different. The reality of climate change was not an issue. It is a given. What was discussed was how we are to respond and how that will effect our farmers. While that may not be a major issue in Toronto, here in the Annapolis Valley it is crucial. Small variations make a large difference. To talk about supply management is to touch the third rail. Moving to non-animal agriculture in a poultry-milk producing area? Want tot talk about courage!
The major difference was the politeness! (Yes this is Canada!) Over and over again the candidates would say, “Well I agree with…..” “He makes good points….” “As she was saying….” The closest the “debate” came to being “normal” was when one candidate said, “I hope you will vote for one of the 3 of us here and not the 2 that chose not to attend.” I thought about standing up and shouting out,
“WHAT!!!! THIS ISN’T HOW YOU DO THIS!!!! WHY NOT CALL THEM AN IDIOT! TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM!!!”
But then I remembered which side of the border I am on, and dreamed that maybe my friends down south could take a lesson.