In the final days before a major election, it is typical for newspapers to offer endorsements for a particular candidate or party platform.
Typical, but not mandatory.
Our office has been flooded these past weeks by missives from the various parties and their agents, generously offered up for publication.
Regrettably, the vast majority have spent their public relations budgets on attacking opponents far more than they have on promoting an agenda.
The volume of these pitches — and the negativity of their tone, has only increased as we approach election day next Tuesday.
Thank you very much, but we’ve largely kept these letters and releases from our pages, and have elected — pardon the pun — to do so again in this final edition before voting day.
Far more valuable to voters are face-to-face events, like the all-candidates meetings held last month in Port McNeill and Port Hardy, where local residents can broach local concerns directly to the candidates.
It’s also useful to arm yourself with knowledge about the parties’ plans for B.C. for the next three years, and to act accordingly.
This spring, therefore, the Gazette heartily endorses every eligible voter to get informed, make a decision, and get to the polls to have his or her voice heard.