Could Harper get the most votes and still lose? The short answer is yes. When people hear the phrase 'Strategic Voting' they generally think it means 'Vote Liberal' but not this time. A number of online initiatives have sprung up to urge voters to, in the best way possible, use their vote to defeat the Conservatives and that doesn't always mean voting for the Liberals. The first of these groups: voteforenvironment.ca has done the math.
If we split our votes:
Conservative 141
Liberal 73
NDP 35
Green 0
Bloc 57
IND 2
If we vote smart:
Conservative 97
Liberal 109
NDP 46
Green 1
Bloc 53
IND 2
An easy to use tool on the voteforenvironment.ca website tells you who, in your riding, has the best chance of taking out the Conservative candidate. The site (and the strategy) has even been endorsed by the CAW (normally an NDP stronghold.)
If you can't live with such a stategic vote then you can Swap your vote with someone in another riding and improve the chances of both of your parties.
In terms of media and entertainment you can visit Anyonebutharper.ca and watch some videos - ads much better than what the Liberals and NDP have been cranking out. They also have a widget, similar to that mentioned at voteforenvironment.ca which is portable (which means you can put it on your page.) After that head over to Avaaz.ca and download the song "You Have A Choice"
While the majority of Canadians want action on climate change and believe that Harper is offside with their views, voters often feel that one vote can't make a difference. This is why prominent Canadian artists have come together in support of strategic voting to defeat Harper.
"These bright lights of the Canadian music scene are sending a message to voters: you can make a difference, and we need to come together and strategically support candidates who will defeat Stephen Harper and fight climate change," said Patel.
The Canadian artists who rallied together for this effort include: K-OS, Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent, Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace, Sarah Harmer, Hawksley Workman, Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene, Darren Dumas of The Salads and the Arts Offstage Choir under the direction of David Reed. The song was written and produced by The Hundreds and Thousands' Ian Lefeuvre and K-OS. Lyrics all contributed by the artists. Additional keyboards are performed by Todor Kobakov from Major Maker. The track was mastered by Joao Carvalho.
With bagpipes, swirling guitars, soaring choruses and a chilling choral performance, familiar voices bring a powerful message of the necessity of action and the importance of each and every vote on October 14. “You Have a Choice” will be released to radio stations across Canada, and Canadians can download an MP3 by visiting AVAAZ.ca.
So, regardless of what the polls and pundits tell you a Harper Majority is still far from a sure thing. Get active, invite friends and spread the word. A (surely incomplete) list of resources is below.
Websites
Again, all of these thousands of people are NDP and Greens and Liberals and undecided/none of the above. It's not over yet folks!
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