PART 2
In part one of our Ontario election blog, we assessed the equity records and commitments of several parties. In this second piece we share the questions we’re asking of candidates and various ways to engage and evaluate what candidates deserve the votes of those of us demanding meaningful change.
When a party presents a platform, we must examine and evaluate what the implications will be. What are the equity impacts of their policies? In the decision-making, how are the needs of Black, Indigenous and racialised Ontarians prioritized? What are the ramifications for the groups of individuals we want to empower and support? Take the
time and opportunity to put hard questions to any and all candidates.
When listening to the proposals of a candidate’s platform, consider who will be burdened by and who will benefit from these particular ambitions.
If you can’t engage face to face with candidates, write them an email, or call up their campaign office. Do a thorough review of what they are saying and doing via social and print media. Do they speak clearly about systems of oppression and structural violence or do they frame injustices as individual choices? What’s missing from their statements
and analyses?
Do they understand the systemic nature of dehumanization and violence? Do they understand that dehumanization and violence are systemic? Which candidate is going to make fighting for the survival of our communities easier? Will they open space to allow BIPOC and the underserved to speak and be heard? Have they built relationships
based on trust and transparency?
At the end of the blog we provide links to organizations in Hamilton that are collaborating to evaluate candidates in each riding. In your community, check out who the advocates and organizers are. Who’s working for racial justice, disability justice, Indigenous rights, migrant rights, 2SLGBTQI rights? Who are the housing, worker and
anti-poverty advocates? Follow these individuals and find out what they have to say about candidates in your area.
Here are questions we’ll be asking candidates, and that we recommend you ask as well.
-What is your understanding of systemic racism in our province? What is your commitment to learning and action?
-What is your commitment to justice for Indigenous peoples in Ontario?-How will you make schools safe and affirming for all students? What will you do to protect LGBTQI, Black, Indigenous and racialized staff, students and community from attacks on equity and human rights?
-Disabled people in Ontario are asking to access MAiD because they are deprived of safe housing and basic needs. It should not be easier to access death than it is to access basic needs to live a safe and dignified life. What do you plan to do about this?
-How will you work with marginalized communities and uplift and support community leadership? Can you give examples of how you have done this in the past?
-What are your plans for addressing rising food insecurity?
-What are your plans for the housing crisis? It’s not adequate to take measures to make buying a home easier. What about renters? What about unhoused folks? We want an expansive vision and plan for action, not incrementalism. Think ‘free housing now’ and eviction moratoriums.
-What will you do to combat the rise of hate and hate crimes in Ontario?
-How do you propose to use the money available in the budget to ensure equitable health outcomes, safe working conditions, and access to social service?
-What do you currently do to support communities in your riding?
Here in Hamilton, The Disability Justice Network of Ontario, The Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre and the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic are collaborating on a series of live discussions in which they’ll
discuss “the commitments of provincial candidates in each riding on systemic racism, hate, poverty and disability” The first livestream is this Friday.
Listen in to learn about advocates and activists in your community, and to gain insight from their tuned-in and knowledgeable perspectives. Incredibly valuable information about equity, and the actions we need to take to transform our systems to work for all communities, is now easy to attain. So we encourage you to dive in!
As we pay close attention to the provincial election, The Equity Network will be actively involved in municipal elections with the goal of ensuring the strongest candidates are elected as city councilors and school board trustees. We’re fortunate to have brilliant
community organizers and a powerful grassroots community in Hamilton.
We are feeling confident about meaningful change and ready to hold leaders accountable between elections. . We’re hoping you’ll join us in working towards a better city that serves all so, keep watching and be ready to get involved.