The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right. The votes and voices of individual Nova Scotians have written the political history of our province. In fact, Nova Scotia is the birthplace of parliamentary democracy, as well as the birthplace of freedom of the press and responsible government in our country.

 Nova Scotia's pioneering role in shaping our nation's democratic institutions has helped secure the rights and freedoms we Canadians today embrace.

 When we vote, we choose the representatives who will make the laws and policies that govern how we live together. The legitimacy of a government lies in the fact that it is elected. Low voter turnouts may call into question this democratic legitimacy.

 Voting is a powerful way to send a message to governments and politicians. The more votes received, the more powerful the message. In other words, every vote counts!

 Compared to other forms of political participation, voting does not require a lot of time or effort - it is one of the easiest ways to have a say in how your society is governed.

 With the Nova Scotia election upon us, it is more important than ever to get out and vote. Many people think that their vote does not matter. There have been many MLAs, in ridings all across the province, who have been elected by less than 100 votes. So thinking that your vote does not count could not be farther from the truth.

 Whether the excuse is apathy or laziness, voting has become a privilege that far too many citizens take for granted. If you are still saying to yourself "I'm not going to vote," ask yourself how you would feel if you didn't have a choice to elect a premier or a prime minister, or choose a job, or decide how many children to have.

 There are many countries where a person does not have a choice, so that is why on June 9, I encourage everyone to exercise their fundamental privilege of voting!

posted on 06/09/09