Voters looking for a change in Canada's political landscape expressed their disappointment in a uneventful election process. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Election Reaction

Meadow Lake voters express frustration with ineffective snap election

Sep 21, 2021 | 5:29 PM

Immediately following a federal election that had virtually no effect on the Canadian political landscape, residents in Meadow Lake expressed their frustration for what many are calling ‘a waste of time.’

On Monday evening, residents tuned in to election coverage to find out what would happen to the current government. As polling stations continued to report their ballot counts, it became clear early on that the Liberal Party would maintain their minority government.

After the election process grew closer to its conclusion, the only difference from the previous election was the Liberals gained an additional seat in the House of Commons while the Conservative Party lost two seats.

One Meadow Lake resident, Wes, said there was no point in having an election at a time where many people are concerned for their health.

“It was a waste of money and a waste of time for everybody, especially in the middle of this so-called pandemic.”

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This was the Conservative Party’s second opportunity in two year to flip the House of Commons in their favour. The Conservatives were led by Erin O’Toole in this year’s campaign, but a change in leadership was not enough to sway voters from keeping the current government in power.

On the Liberal’s side, the election served as an opportunity for the party to secure a majority government. The attempt to earn more seats was unsuccessful, and parliament is expected to move forward with a slightly modified, but generally identical minority government.

Local voter Michael Frederick shared while he is disappointed in the process, the election hasn’t change his view on who he wants to represent him.

“It was terrible. I plan on voting the same way I did this time, but this was the wrong time [to have an election].”

On a local level, Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River MP Gary Vidal had the most notable performance in the election. Vidal’s voter support increased significantly from his previous run in 2019 despite a record-low voter turnout.

Vidal saw a near six per cent jump of the voter share lean in his favour, bringing his support from about 42 per cent in 2019 to nearly 48 per cent in this year’s run, resulting in him retaining his seat in office.

The incumbent MP was vocal about his displeasure with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to call a snap election in the early stages of his campaign. He called the election a ‘selfish’ decision to bring Canadians to the polls as the country deals with the fourth wave of the COVID-19 health crisis.

While the election may not have played out in the Conservative Party’s favour, Vidal believes the results from the election is a sign from Canadians that they want their government to work together on representing their interests and leading them to an economic recovery.

“I think you always have to appreciate democracy. We have a great country, you always have to respect the wishes of the people,” he said.

“I think the message to representatives from all parties was that people expect us to work together to get results for Canadians.”

Election results are expected to be finalized later this week.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp