Doug Rogers

Canadian politics right now is a bit of a rollercoaster. On one side, you’ve got Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, who’s been stirring up a lot of talk about cutting red tape, axing the carbon tax, defunding the CBC and topping up TFSA’s for reinvestments in Canada. But here’s the kicker: Poilievre’s approach has raised eyebrows because it feels eerily similar to the U.S. MAGA movement. His perceived alignment and populist tone and rhetoric have drawn comparisons to Donald Trump, and that’s got me worried. Is he bringing a “Canada First” vibe, or are we heading down a path of division and American-style politics? It’s a question that’s hanging in the air and is tough to digest right now. Poilievre can also be considered a career politician with years of service without much to show for his efforts.

Then there’s Mark Carney, the Liberal leader. Carney has the credentials—former central banker, global finance expert, statesman, and now prime ministerial hopeful. He’s pitching big ideas like doubling homebuilding rates and replacing the consumer carbon tax with incentives for greener choices. But a lot of people see him as Trudeau 2.0. Same party, same faces, same policies. And after years of Trudeau’s leadership, some voters are wondering if Carney’s just offering more of the same, without the fresh perspective they’re craving. For me, Carney is the real choice right now – if for no other reason, I feel he is best to deal with our international situation and Donald Trump. That is my number one issue as it affects the sovereignty of Canada. With a movement promoting Alberta and Saskatchewan and threats to leave the Dominion of Canada, we need leadership to unite Canadians and promote a Canadian team. Not a leader who has shown support for divisiveness and right-wing extremism.

Now, let’s talk about the local scene and my riding in Vancouver Fraserview–South Burnaby. Candidates like Gregor Robertson (Liberal), Avi Nayyar (Conservative), Manoj Bhangu (NDP), and Desiderio Magtanggol Reyes (PPC) are vying for my vote. But how am I supposed to make an informed decision when they’re practically invisible? I can’t even find a picture of these candidates on-line, other than Robertson who used to be Mayor of Vancouver. No door knocks, no mailers, no emails—nothing. No news reports, other than their initial announcement to run. It’s like they’re expecting you to do all the heavy lifting to figure out who’s running, what they stand for, and why they deserve your vote. Are they leaning on their personal notoriety? Their party’s platform? or do they actually have plans to address the specific needs of your community? It’s a mystery, and frankly, it shouldn’t be. This election is a short campaign and there just is not time for people to look for all this information and nor should people have to rely on the party policies only, as a resource for whom to vote for.

The lack of engagement from local candidates is a real problem across the country. Voters like you and me deserve better. You shouldn’t have to dig through layers of information and disinformation just to make an informed choice. Politics is supposed to be about connection—about candidates showing up, listening, and proving they care about the people they want to represent. Right now, it feels like that connection is missing, and it’s leaving voters, myself included – in the lurch. At the end of the day, whether it’s Poilievre, Carney, or your local candidates, the message is clear: voters do not need flashy promises and party slogans. They need real engagement, real solutions, and a real commitment to addressing the issues that matter most. It’s time for politicians to step up and meet voters where they are—not the other way around.