2008 Canadian Election Studies

2008 Canadian Federal Determination: A three person FDA evaluation committee evaluated and ranked the three main candidates running in the 2008 Kootenay-Columbia riding. The Committee evaluted the backgrounds and visions of the candidates, and the three key policy areas--economy, environment, and foreign affairs. Synopsis: The FDA evaluation committee ranked the candidates as follows: 1. Aitchison (Liberal) (60.4%) 1. Abbott (Conservative) (60.4%) 2. Pendleton (NDP) (57.9%) Mrs. Aitchison was ranked higher than Mr. Abbott, because the Liberals out scored the Conservatives in the policy section, 66.6% to 56.6%. Due to the close ranking of the three candidates, the FDA concluded that other factors need to be looked at in terms of choosing one of the candidates. The FDA determined that if the public is interested in strong leadership and vision, then they should choose Mr. Pendleton, who scored 80% for vision and 75% overall as a candidate. (Mr. Abbott scored 63.3% for vision and 71.6% overall as a candidate, and Mrs. Aitchison scored 36.6% for vision and 41.6% overall as a candidate.) If the public is interested in political experience, then they should choose Mr. Abbott who scored 80% for background including political experience. If the public is interested in the economy and environment, then they should choose Mrs. Aitchison and the Liberals who scored 73.3% compared to 58.3% for the Conservatives and 50% for the NDP. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (pdf file) of the FDA evaluation of the Kootenay-Columbia riding. FULL REPORT (pdf file) of the FDA evaluation of the Kootenay-Columbia riding. Comparative Evaluation of Ranking/Grading and Election Results

2008 Cranbrook Mayoral Election: The FDA, in an in-house evaluation, evaluated and ranked/graded the three candidates running in the 2008 Cranbrook Mayoral election. The Committee evaluted the backgrounds and visions of the candidates, and the four key policy areas--development, economy, environment, and housing. Synopsis: The FDA evaluation committee ranked/graded the candidates as follows: 1. Stetski 60.5/80 (75.6%) 2. York 46.75/80 (58.4%) 3. Manjak 46.5/80 (58.1%) Stetski scored consistently 70% or better in all sections of the evaluation, whereas the other candidates scored consistently in the 60% range. The key differences between Stetski and the other candidates, is his commitment to natural, cultural, and citizen values, and the comprehensiveness of his policies. The FDA concluded that the consistency of Stetski’s scores reflected his stability and leadership potential. FULL REPORT FULL REPORT (pdf file) of the FDA evaluation of the 2008 Cranbrook Mayoral election. Comparative Evaluation of Ranking/Grading and Election Results