Tomorrow is "Election Day" in British Columbia. I can't vote, obviously, so I've paid little attention to it. My roommates are going to vote though, so there was some discussion about the election.
Apparently there was a debate, in Chinese, not too long ago. Remember that Vancouver has a heavy Asian population, so a debate in Chinese (Cantonese I believe, to be specific) isn't too surprising. One of my roommates watched it, and she made the comment that there was more participation than in previous elections, suggesting those who have moved here, settled and raised families now consider Vancouver their home.
I found that curious. Why move to Vancouver, stay so long and not consider it your home? I learned that many Chinese moved here to escape but fully intended to move back once things improved. Seems that many, since moving, have lost the desire to return and thus have a vested interest in the outcome of the election.
Naturally that raises questions for me, and the irony of Vancouver as "home" does not escape me. It's a very curious place to find myself, but staying in Vancouver ultimately isn't up to me. Such is the trade-off of a work visa. It's renewal is not up to me so there is little reason to dwell on it.
It is curious to know about an election without seeing a commercial. Benefit of not having cable! There aren't billboards, posters or any obvious signs of an election, either, which I find strange. Speaks to Canadianisms, I suppose. They're not so "in your face," in anything.