Wow, imagine my surprise when I showed up at
Science North to make my voice heard in the federal
election.
As I pushed my way through the rotating door
there facing me was the largest lineup of voters I have ever
seen. This was going to be no quick task to cast my vote.
"What was going on?" I asked myself. "Were
Sudburians rising up from an apathetic stupor? Were we taking
back the democratic process into our own hands?"
As my eyes wandered down the long lineup, I
estimated at least 100 people or maybe more. A strange
awareness began to settle into my mind. This crowd of voters
had a common denominator. They were all students. Yes students,
dressed in T-shirts, hats on backwards, running shoes, no
boots! In a line that stretched half way to the entrance of
Science North, Laurentian University students were lined up to
register to vote.
I felt my spirit soar as the realization
dawned on me that Canada would be OK, that the democratic
process would go on, that the young people of today still value
the freedoms that men and women died to give them, that they
valued their voice in the governing of our country that they
would stand in line for hours...yes hours...to exercise their
right to vote.
Would I stand that long? Would I subject
myself to the seemingly endless bureaucracy of photo I.D,
second piece of I.D., proof of address, etc.? Yet, there they
were.
Lined up and waiting like they were going to
a rock concert.
Hats off to the students of Laurentian
University. Hats off to the overwhelmed returning officer. Hats
off to Canada. There is a future. There is still hope.
Rev. Jeremy Mahood
Sudbury