Community organizations working to encourage residents to participate in Ontario election

With election day quickly approaching, community organizations in Ontario have ramped up their efforts to encourage more residents to get out and vote.

Their work engages with the electoral process in a way that resonates with voters who, in some cases, may feel ignored, confused, or just not interested.

“People know something is wrong, but what they’re not seeing is an avenue for change, and part of that change, not all of it but part of it, starts with our participation in the system and us demanding change,” shared Samanta Krishnapillai, who is the founder and executive director of the On Canada Project.

On Canada Project is an organization that is “helping to bridge information gaps that help folks feel like they’ve got enough information to mobilize and take action around the social issues that are impacting us today.”

Krishnapillai explains she felt motivated to start the project and encourage Millennials and Gen Zs to become involved in the democracy of where they live.

“It often feels like it is older generations and the elite who are [making] decisions about the future, and a lot of young people aren’t really allowed in these conversations in a meaningful way,” she said.

The group uses social media to bridge information gaps to encourage Canadians to mobilize, including them in critical conversations such as housing, affordability and systemic barriers and then helping voters find their voice.

For the Ontario election, On Canada Project uses what they call the “Party Leader Vibe Check.” It’s a one-on-one with each of the political party leaders running this year to talk about where they stand.

“What we wanted to create is an informed best friend, take the info shared and break it down in a way that explains why this matters, or what the implications of these decisions and why we should care.”

Krishnapillai tells CityNews Green Party leader Mike Schriner and NDP Party leader Andrea Horwath have both spoken with them and Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca has been open to an interview. PC leader Doug Ford declined to participate.

Queer Vote Ontario is another non-partisan coalition of over 40 LGBTQ2S+ community organizations and allies that has hosted panel discussions this election, asking candidates to pledge their support.

Fae Johnstone, spokesperson for Queer Vote Ontario, tells CityNews they also held a debate with local candidates in the community. “It was a way of helping queer and trans community members know what political parties are saying about our issues and their platforms.”

“Our communities are left out of the conversation and don’t see ourselves reflected in political processes and elections,” said Johnstone.

The coalition also released a report card, sending questionnaires with key questions on LGBTQ2S+ issues and checking party platforms. The Green Party and NDP both scored a B. The Liberals received a B- and the PC party got an F for failure to respond.

“Unfortunately, we heard nothing back from Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party, and that actually was the biggest disappointment that in 2022 his party couldn’t be bothered to respond to a questionnaire.”

Meanwhile, another national non-partisan organization, Equal Voice, is working to get women elected at all levels of government.

“What we really want to see is more women elected by all parties, and as well, not just elected, but nominated in winnable ridings,” explained Executive Director Eleanor Fast.

“We believe that when we have more women in our legislatures, that will lead to better policy,” she added. “Women represent 50 per cent of the public and they should form 50 per cent of our legislatures and other government bodies.”

Equal Voice also works to encourage voters to participate in the electoral process. “Whether it’s by volunteering, donating, or other ways people can support. We really hope everyone will be doing that because we need everybody to help get more women elected in Ontario.”

Voter engagement doesn’t start and stop with casting a ballot, these groups say it’s equally important to encourage Canadians to remain engaged in democracy after the election has been decided and officials get to work.

With files from Meredith Bond.