Fucking, Vote.

Attention: If you bleed maple syrup, represent the true, north strong and free, and spell the words "colour", "favour" and "neighbour" with a "u" (how intended), this post is for you. 

I try to keep this website politics-free. Why you ask? Couple reasons. Firstly, every orifice of this world is crammed with people's misinformed political opinions about this rally or that protest. The world of politics has become a landscape of "he-said, she-said" and I want to stay as far as possible from that. Secondly, my opinion should not matter to you. I am a singer-songwriter, not a politician. I'm not even fully sure how our government works. If you asked me about the true and real differences between a province and a territory, I would give you some bullshit answer like "it depends on how far north they are" (that is not true, I have no idea what the actual differences are). My degree is not in political science, it is in neuroscience. We could have a pretty in depth conversation about your dopaminergic system, but I can't tell you a whole lot about the House of Commons. And finally, my political opinions are nobody's business. There is a reason we vote in private! It's private! I'm allowed to hold my opinions, you're allowed to hold yours. 

HOWEVER, I am going to get a little preachy about a particular government/politics related event that is oot and aboot right now (if you didn't read that in a Canadian accent, I can't help you). THE FEDERAL ELECTION. 

Ladies and lumberjacks, I know that we are not as flashy with our elections as our southern neighbours (I mean they're already having debates and they're election isn't until 2020, American politics baffle me), but there is no way you have not heard about our election. I would bet my goddamn toque on it. 

On October 21st, Canada will be holding its federal election in which every Canadian registered to vote will be given the opportunity to elect a representative for their riding. Every riding is a seat and the party with the most seats will represent Canada, and the representative for that party becomes Prime Minister. Just in case you weren't sure what you were doing, there's your TLDR.

One of the greatest nuggets of wisdom my dad ever gave me was "If you don't vote you can't complain." And holy Barenaked Ladies was he right. 

No matter where you stand on the aisle, vote. I don't care if you live in Punkydoodles Corners or Sober Island (yes my American friends, those are true Canadian places), go vote! We are lucky enough to live in this hockey-loving, poutine-soaked country where voting is a right and not enough people take advantage of it. And Canada wants you to vote. Between absentee ballots and advanced polls, Canada is giving you the chance to vote so please for the love of Bryan Adams and Ryan Reynolds, VOTE. If you don't then you genuinely don't get the right to complain about the state of the world. You're getting the chance to make a difference and have a say in your future so please TAKE IT. I don't care what your political opinions are, I don't care if you think Trudeau is one fine piece of Canadian ass or you want him to go back to teaching, just please go vote. 

And take this opportunity to make an educated vote. Don't vote for someone because that's what your friends are doing. Research who is in your riding and find their opinions on the issues that matter to you. Please do your research, and please look somewhere other than Buzzfeed. 

So, I apologize for all my beautiful Canadian references, but I needed to spread this nugget of wisdom with y'all. 

And in case you didn't get it: fucking, vote. 

From me, with love, to you, 
-Victoria 

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