YorkU staff org: get out there and vote

Joanie Cameron Pritchett
York University Staff Association president
The upcoming federal election on May 2 will be exceptionally important for the working people in Canada. It is vital that people throughout the country get out and vote.
I often hear friends and colleagues say that their vote doesn’t matter. As Canadians who care deeply about freedom and democracy, we need to dispel this notion and demonstrate, especially to young people, that every vote matters.
The  organization that I represent, the York University Staff Association which is affiliated with the Confederation of Canadian Unions, is spearheading a voter education drive called “Raise Your Voice, Cast Your Vote.” We have sent out questionnaires to the five major parties and have received the responses, which are posted on our website at www.ccu-csc.ca. The questions deal with economic issues, social policies, the environment and workers’ rights, among others.
The right to vote is just that – a right. This hasn’t always been the case. In the early days of Canada, voting was a privilege that only a select group of wealthy men could participate in. It has only been about 90 years since men and women of any class have had the right to vote, and even this says nothing of the huge barriers faced by Aboriginal peoples in Canada, who for decades were prevented from voting.
There are a number of websites to help voters understand the issues and how policies will affect their lives. It is important to review the parties’ websites, those of your local candidates and interest groups, pamphlets you receive in the mail, and articles in the local media. You will learn a great deal and empower yourself with the confidence to make the right voting choices on May 2.
I also often hear that people are confused and turned off by the misinformation and constant stream of negative media images from the five major political parties. Although there is a great deal of conflicting information, it is vital to fully understand the positions of the parties and their leaders on important issues.
There are also opportunities to attend a local debate or speak to your candidates when they come to your door. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions that pertain directly to you or a problem you’re facing.
I encourage people to do some research and involve your children in understanding our political system, the one they will one day inherit.
I hope to see a record voter turnout in Canada on May 2. I encourage all citizens who are eligible to raise your voice and cast your vote!