6 April 13, 2011 + Over the Edge This Year Springtime means Election Time Who will you vote for? HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR to invest $5,000 dollars annually. Harper has announced if he is re-elected he will up the limit to $10,000. Canadians who have a spare $10,000 dollars a year to invest in a tax free savings account, will undoubtedly be pleased with this election promise. The Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, probably most memorable in his starring role in the Conservative attack ads, has announced a two-year platform that would mix social spending and tax credits without having to raise personal taxes. However, as election promises are hardly even seen to fruition, it is best to base political allegiance along ideological lines. That is why CBC’s promotion of the Canada Votes Compass is so helpful. The election tool, which is easily found on CBC’s news site, asks a serious of questions based on current or controversial political issues such as abortion, arctic sovereignty, or tax cuts. After selecting multiple-choice responses, the Compass tells you where you sit along political ideological lines. It also tells you which party best represents your political views. The excuse that some people use for not voting is often they simply do not know who to vote for. With tools like the Election Compass, such excuses are becoming less valid. The tool is also unique in that it does not include any prior political rhetoric or sentiments. For example, distaste for the Liberal Party is not accounted for and people might find that they are more Liberal than they ever thought. The tool is then interesting for even the most politically active, as it tests how aligned someone’s political ideology is with their favourite party. It also illustrates the growing importance of the Internet and social media in election campaigns. Michael Ignatieff even challenged Stephen Harper to a one- Election! Canada is heading into election season. All five parties will be trying tirelessly to win votes. The election will be held on May 2, 2011. Elizabeth May says a Green Party government would rise corporate taxes to 2009 levels, charge $60 dollars a ton for carbon emissions and legalize pot. ONLINE SOURCE NDP leader Jack Layton is vowing to do more to prevent crime. He says an NDP government would partner with local communities to eliminate gang violence. Stephen Harper is promising to double the annual cap on tax-free savings accounts. The Conservatives launched the tax-free savings accounts in 2008, which allows Canadians on-one debate through Twitter. However, Harper declined the invitation. Twitter and Facebook can be used to gauge public opinion rather instantaneously, and all the parties are sure to have a prominent presence on the Internet. The question then becomes, will increased political activity on the Internet lead to more people willing to get out and vote? Only May 2nd will indicate the public’s willingness to participate in the most important political activity: voting. Royal Wedding Fever Expected to Infect Millions of Viewers Prince William and Kate tie the knot on April 20th HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR Mark your calendars because April 29th will bring the most exciting event of the summer. Millions of viewers from around the world are expected to tune in later this month to watch the riveting wedding ceremony between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The grandson of Queen Elizabeth II will tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend before 2,000 of his close family and friends at Westminster Abbey at 11am. Because of the time difference, lucky Canadians will be privileged to awake early and watch the coverage of the festivities beginning at 3am ET on CBC. Notable guests include Sir Elton John, the Beckhams, and delegates from the neighbouring European Royal families of Greece, Denmark and Sweden to name a few. Of course with wedding fever in full bloom, royal skeptics are eager to criticize the young couple’s special day. A criticism which, in due time, develops in to an anti-monarchist sentiment. For those disengaged with the idea of the British Monarchy’s historical and symbolic status in society, the lavish wedding seems distasteful when considering the current displeasing economic downturn. When a common middle-class wedding can cost a fortune, imagining the bill for an outlandish wedding involving more than 2,000 people is nearly impossible without an economist at hand. However, no one should lose any sleep over the Royal Wedding costs because the couple have requested donations be made to charity in lieu of any gifts. The Royal Wedding website details a selection of charities in which that the couple hope to support through their wedding festivities. That’s good news considering William and Kate will not only receive gifts from individuals but from organizations and countries as well. ARoyal Wedding also means tons of “wedding merchandise” is being made available in the UK and Canada. Wedding enthusiasts will be able to purchase expensive commemorative mugs, tea cans, plates, towels, t-shirts, iPhone cases, bobble heads, key chains, and anything else that can be stamped with William and Kate’s namesake. The Canadian government has hopped on the bandwagon too. It the Royal Canadian Mint has release two special commemorative Canadian coins to mark the occasion. The coins, which are quarters, are $25 dollars each and feature a portrait of William and Kate designed by a Guelph Ontario artist. In May the Mint will also release an extensive set of collector coins marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. “y —- ONLINE SOURCE One of the first items on the newlyweds to do list is visit Canada. The couple will tour Canada in June. The nine-day visit will include stops in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario. Stephen Harper has said that the visit is a “testament of our very close relationship with the Royal Family.” Kate Middleton and Prince William.