This excellent article in the Edmonton Journal goes to highlight the problem with our electoral system.
If federal election turnout is expected to be a record low for Alberta, and in the provincial election, only about 20 % of the voters chose a Tory majority, then what is the true state of our democracy?

Ballots Keep Politicians Accountable

While I haven’t commented very much on this blog about the Federal election coming up on October 14, I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get out there and vote! Get involved in the political process on all levels. Below is my response to a great article in the Western Wheel.

Well said Sheelagh Matthews (Oct. 1 Western Wheel) on voting for the environment in this election. The evidence of market failure is all around us – not just in the banks and investment houses of the world. The neo-conservative belief in leaving the markets to themselves has not served the public interest. Other examples include salmon fishery collapse on the west coast; growing liability of the oilsands extraction in Alberta; over 12,000 respiratory deaths per year from air pollution; and of course climate change, which reflects continuing

Friends,
Bruce Callow, a Calgary native now living in Guatemala, has been doing amazing work to improve the prison conditions of young men and women in a juvenile prison in Nicaragua.
Take a look at this article

Former Calgarian Helps Kids in Nicaragua

This might be of interest to my constituents:

The Calgary Foundation released its annual Vital Signs report card this morning. The report is a snapshot of the livability and wellness of life in Calgary covering 12 key issue areas: gap between rich and poor, safety, health and wellness, learning, housing, getting started, arts and culture, environment, work, belonging and leadership, valuing diversity, and sustainable city.
The Calgary Vital Signs report card is available for viewing or download http://www.calgaryvitalsigns.ca/.