Sugar cookie recipe sweet sentimental favourite

I add my voice to Erna Buffie’s Think Tank piece “Democracy is a civic election issue” (Aug. 13) by asserting that democracy is a public education issue. Put another way, this fall’s municipal and school board elections are a test of public education — educating democratic citizens who appreciate our democratic inheritance enough to take responsibility for renewing it.

Voter turnouts for elections in Canada are abysmal. Where there should be 100 per cent participation, it often approaches 50 per cent federally and provincially, 25 per cent in local elections. The explanations given seem insufficient and unsatisfying, as are the reasons given by those who decide not to bother.

Some say they feel disempowered and alienated from the political process, feeling they have no say in governmental decisions which rule their lives.

Others appear resigned to the fact that, if they were to speak, they would simply be passed over or ignored, choosing not to vote because their votes, like their voices, make no difference and count for nothing. Still others say they’re too busy or just don’t care.

911 action essential

The latest revelations about repeated 911 service outages in Manitoba should alarm every Manitoban. When someone dials 911, they should never have to wonder whether their call will actually reach an emergency operator. Lives can depend on those few seconds.

Manitobans need answers — and, more importantly, action.

Bell Canada says its existing systems and contingency plans are designed to protect 911 service, while pointing to the transition to next-generation 911 technology by 2027 as the long-term solution.