There is a 3rd Strong Contender.

Elections are in the air here in Vancouver Quadra and, as in many ridings around the country, it looks like it's going to be a close race between THREE parties. I'll be supporting the NDP because Martin and Harper are more interested in short-term corporate economic interests, than the long-term well-being of Canadians. And I won't be voting Green because although at the grassroots the greens have excellent principles and ideas, the leadership and platform suggest many policies that are espoused by those who merely seek to profit from our environmental and social problems.

I will be voting NDP because in my work as a student of Ecological Economics (http://www.cansee.org/docs/Ecological%20Economics.htm), I have met an incredible network of people who have been attending and hosting dozens of forums addressing environmental, social, and economic issues, and as election time has rolled around, I keep bumping into NDP candidates and supporters at just these sorts of events. We have been talking about peaceful methods of conflict resolution, reducing our demand as consumers, the transition to renewable energy, and the NDP is listening and participating in this dialogue. We are riding our bikes, eating locally grown food, and inspired by Bill Rees, we are thinking about the many other ways we can reduce our 'Ecological Footprint'. (http://www.ire.ubc.ca/ecoresearch/ecoftpr.html)

The corporate media criticise Jack Layton for addressing too many issues in his campaign, when he should be praised for looking at so many facets of the complex system we must understand if we are to guide ourselves toward a more peaceful and prosperous future. I'll be voting with my heart on Monday. I'll be voting David Askew, Vancouver Quadra, NDP.