Election 2008: The Importance of Active Citizenship

It has been an interesting time in Canada over the last five weeks. What began as a campaign that was as much about sweaters as substance, has evolved into a serious exploration about who is most able to lead Canada through what it sure to be a difficult time. This is, of course, due in large part to the financial crisis that has hit the United States and is currently reverberating around the world.

A key element of this exploration is dialogue. On the heels of the market crash just days earlier, Green Party leader Elizabeth May joined the Leaders’ debate for the first time and presented a clear articulation of some key questions facing Canadians.

Since then, all four of the national parties have put increased attention on explaining what they would do to navigate through a recession. There has even been some limited discussion of the implications the economic downturn will have on the spending elements of their platforms. Sure, we haven’t left personal attacks completely aside, but recent events have forced candidates to go beyond their original script.

So what does all this mean for us as citizens? It means that our vote matters. There have been fluctuations in the polls over the course of the election, the distance between the parties in terms of popularity is diminishing, and the likely outcome of the election is increasingly unclear. We must vote.

It is disheartening to note that voter turnout has not gone above 67% of eligible voters in the last four federal elections. Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system can indeed make it seem as though voting has little impact. Still, it is essential that we make use of this important political right. This is a real opportunity to express our political views and stand behind the candidate and party that represent our values.

Being an active citizen doesn’t end with the election. As Canadians, the opportunities we have to engage in the political process go far beyond October 14. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we have access to a series of fundamental freedoms, including: freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association. This means that we have the right to speak out against injustice and to stand up for what we believe. Within the Canadian political system, we are also able to engage directly with those in positions of power, either by writing a letter or meeting with them in person.

Over the course of the election campaign, many questions have been asked of the candidates – in community centres, at campaign stops, and on national television – about their vision for Canada. We must continue to ask these questions of our local MPs (regardless of whether they belong to the governing party), to engage government ministers, and raise issues with opposition critics and civil servants. We need to develop a relationship with our local MPs, even if they are not the person we voted for. For more ideas on how to engage MPs and others, take a look at our Advocacy Toolkit.

Another important aspect of civic engagement is to come together with like-minded individuals to participate in community organizations that share your values. By building and participating in community, we have the opportunity to increase our knowledge and strengthen our voice. The options are endless: the social justice committee or Out of the Cold program at your church, local anti-poverty networks, public housing initiatives or any number of national or international organizations. Many organizations working for a just and compassionate society, like Citizens for Public Justice, rely on the financial support of individuals. And many individuals do not have the time to get directly involved on issues that matter to them. At CPJ, we work hard to study and analyze critical public justice issues, and rely on concerned Canadians to join and support our efforts. As we look forward to the formation of a new federal government, we invite you to join us in Envisioning Canada without Poverty. In return, we promise to engage you as part of our commitment to “hopeful citizenship.”

Regardless of how the election turns out, which party forms the government , it will be our government. As such, we will need to continue to engage, to ask questions, to call for justice. We must continue to be active citizens.