By Iona Stoddard
There has been a huge change in four years. During the Covid Pandemic, we had the seventh election of Halifax Regional Municipality’s young life. Say what you will about its creation, but I believe that it was good for democracy. It also was great for a person running for office for the first time. Almost everyone was home, there was a feeling of goodwill towards your neighbors and people were quick to say a kind word or help a total stranger. There was great hope that the pandemic would teach us valuable lessons about society and how it was governed. Unfortunately, we did not learn these lessons. Everything went back to the way it was.
Democracy is in danger. Recent reports highlight that democracy is facing significant challenges worldwide. 2024 promised to be a test of the strength of our demographic systems. Less than half of the world’s adult population will put their X beside the person’s name they think will best represent their interest. It doesn’t look good. Countries that were once seen as strong democracies are showing signs of decline. Countries around the world have faced challenges from every direction and there is evidence of the weakening of democracies worldwide.
You might be asking what this has to do with HRM’s election in 2024. Well, everything. The atmosphere at the door feels noticeably more intense and challenging compared to 2020. Homelessness, interest rates, the high cost of food, rent, supplies and more. Another part of it is I am trying to encourage the voters who supported me in 2020 to take another chance on a relative new person to politics and to put their trust that I can definitely represent them. I had to differentiate myself from other candidates and convince voters that I could represent them effectively.
Now, in my re-election campaign, the challenge is different. I need to defend my record, address any criticisms, and convince voters that I deserve another term based on my accomplishments and ongoing commitment to serving the district. I agree that I must listen more, communicate more, and continue to do better.
Please be kind and thoughtful to our volunteers. Democracy depends on them.
I am grateful for the long and hard conversations at the door.
Thank you. ~Iona Stoddard
Co-written by John A. Stoddard
Taken from: https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/global-freedom-is-in-decline-butwhat-about-democracy/ https://www.ft.com/content/077e28d8-3e3b-4aa7-a155-2205c11e826f https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/07/global-democracy-charts-2024-trends-insights-election/ https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/29/world/europe/democracy-elections-world.html
