From Where I Sit

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February 25, 2011

by: Peter Jackson

They're off and running!

The provincial election campaign started in earnest this week when MPP's returned to the Legislature.

Now in truth of course the campaign has been going on for a while as MPP's have wasted no time getting their messages out.

The promises have already started including the Liberals' proposal to let us walk around summer festivals and events with a beer in our hand instead of being crammed into a beer tent.

What all parties need to guard against is the temptation to take the low road against their opponents.

On an issue close to many of us -- the planned shipment of decommissioned nuclear steam generators from Bruce Power through the Great Lakes -- we've already seen and heard the Liberals and New Democrats shouting at each other in the Legislature.

While all parties in the House see this as fighting for the rights and good of Ontarians -- it amounts to an exhibition that may have many of us wondering whether any of the parties are worth our votes in October.

Perhaps now is time for us all to do some political homework.

We have a great opportunity this year to do just that.

All we have to do is watch, listen and pay attention from now until October 6th.

All three major parties will put the spin on how they're doing in the polls but there's much more to this campaign.

Every riding will have at least a few all-candidates' meetings -- especially after Labour Day when the campaign has only four weeks to go till election Day.

No matter which party you support -- or whether you cast your ballot for the good of your home riding or for the province as a whole -- approach your candidates.

Ask them where they stand on the issues.

Their jobs -- and our future for the next four years -- could well depend on how they answer.

I'm Peter Jackson

From Where I Sit is on 560 CFOS Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 7:08 am and 5:08 pm