What is at stake when you cast your ballot?

As you go to vote tomorrow in the federal election, think about what is at stake.

The development of a national child care plan has been moving forward. If there is a Conservative government after the vote, this will likely end the possibility of a national child care program for some time.

The Canadian Wheat Board is very important to Manitoba - to farmers who get better returns, to the Port of Churchill which depends on marketing by the Canadian Wheat Board for its existence, and to Winnipeg where the Canadian Wheat Board is a vital part of the existing centre of grain industries in Canada and for developing a Centre of Excellence in grains and cereals. Stephen Harper has made it clear that if there is a Conservative government after the vote, mandatory participation in the farmer-run Canadian Wheat Board will be gone. This has big implications for Manitoba.

Also, the federal Liberal plan to provide major assistance to students for financing their post-secondary education is an important step forward. This opportunity to help students with their post-secondary education will likely be lost with a Conservative government.

Taking Canada out of the Kyoto Agreement on Climate Change may be good for Alberta's oil industry, but it may well slow or even stop the development of an East-West power grid which would be important for the marketing of Manitoba's hydro-electric power. It may also significantly slow Canada's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.