#imagineoct20th

[mikegraham6]

Lucky number 14. @heyrosetta Yet another fantastic show! Finished with a duet with @yukonblonde #imagineoct20th (at National Arts Centre/Centre national des Arts)

[seeresimpa]

My fellow Canadians!

We are free from that racist, sexist, dodgy, and shameful government that had us in its grip! May we go into the next few years hopeful and excited! May our country once again become a country of openness and acceptance! Hurray for NO MORE HARPER!

[beepbeepeight]

I argued with Conservatives for two hours today and the game of pigeon chess came down to hating poor people and being rich/not understanding the poverty cycle at all.

It was very educational.

[tindog]

Hope you’re getting your butt out to vote today!

[springyhair]

On this Election Day, let's keep in mind Jack Layton's last words: “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” No matter who you vote for, vote not out of fear, but out of love.

[noondaytune]

Land You Love - Hey Rosetta! & Yukon Blonde

It’s election day in Canada today, and touring buddies from opposite coasts of the country have joined forces to create a call-to-arms for their fellow countrymen as they head to the polls. While obviously targeted at Canadians unhappy with the current regime, the lyrics could just as easily be transplanted to address the politically disenchanted the world over. Unlike so many political songs, this succeeds in being more than just a whinge at the status quo as it focuses on the ability of every person to make a difference, and leans on a patriotic desire to hang on to all that is worth celebrating about the country, as the title suggests. Even if the political side isn’t really your bag, it’s a beautifully crafted piece of uplifting folk music that remains fun despite the serious message, and the music video (watch it here) offers ample support to both the fun and serious elements thereof.

Contributed by @RHarryHarris

[springyhair]

Tomorrow is the Canadian Federal Election

I posted the following on Facebook earlier today because of a conversation I had with a roller derby team mate last night.  She said she rarely votes and when she does she just asks her parents who to vote for.  This blew my mind.  I cannot imagine being so unaware, so apathetic, so uninformed that I would actively choose not to participate in the democratic process.

Having the right to vote is not something to be taken lightly.  There are places in the world where people are not able to vote, where they must fight for the right to do so, or travel very long distances to get to polling stations.  Even in Canada, women have only been able to vote since 1917 – less than 100 years ago.  First Nations people only received the right to vote in 1960 – less than 60 years ago.

For those who are undecided, take some time today to find out where you stand on the issues.  Do not choose ignorance.  Do not choose apathy.  Your vote counts.

Visit https://votecompass.cbc.ca/ to see where you fall on the political spectrum.  Take a few minutes to read through the highlights of each party’s platform and check out the projections for your riding.

Conservative:  http://www.conservative.ca/ Liberal:  https://www.liberal.ca/ NDP:  http://www.ndp.ca/ Green:  http://www.greenparty.ca/en

Current projections for each riding in Canada:  http://www.threehundredeight.com/p/canada.html

Also consider the impact your vote could have on your future and the future of those you hold dear.  Do you want to continue to live in a Canada which is fearful and divisive or one committed to being welcoming, understanding and peaceful?  A Canada which is still respected by the UN and countries around the world for its human rights and environmental policies?  A Canada which is just as committed to its economy as it is to its social issues?  A Canada which respects all individuals no matter their gender, sexuality, race, religion, or socioeconomic status?  What kind of country do you want to live in?

Finally, I leave you with a few links to some very powerful songs, poems and speeches written by some outstanding Canadians.

Land You Love - Hey Rosetta!/Yukon Blonde  https://vimeo.com/140990026 The Cut – Shane Koyczan  https://youtu.be/iuNm-3_GHC8 Divided, Canada stands to lose what makes it great – Naheed Nenshi http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/divided-canada-stands-to-lose-what-makes-it-great/article26848363/

[lostontheseas]

Current favourite track ever. Canadians: VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE October 19th!!