Every week during the election, we’ll post select info and articles featuring our work and the work of our clinic colleagues and community allies to help inform you about the issues at stake in the 2022 Provincial Election.
Monday, May 23: Candidates continued to hit the campaign trail, despite two party leaders testing positive for COVID-19 and a massive storm that wiped out power in many regions of southern Ontario.
In case you missed it: Chiefs of Ontario released an election platform on April 27, days before the election was called. The document is called “Creating a New Legacy: Building a Strong Foundation for Future Generations” and it is based on a strategy session that was held in early March where Ontario First Nations Leadership came together to discuss their needs and challenges leading up to the 2022 Ontario general election. The document states: “First Nations leadership are seeking a commitment from the next provincial government to act on the five following priority areas:
- A Renewed Relationship
- Sustainable Community Development and Environmental Protection
- Health and Emergency Preparedness
- Community Well-being
- Indian Residential School Investigations”
Read the whole report here.
Tuesday, May 24: The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services posted their Virtual All-Party Town Hall on Seniors’ Issues. The town hall was originally hosted on May 16, right before the second leaders’ debate. Watch here:
Wednesday, May 25: Affordable and accessible transportation has been an important issue throughout this election. The proposed Bradford Bypass and Highway 413, connectivity and affordable inter-city options, and high transit fares are just a few of the transit topics being discussed locally and province-wide. Transport Futures held its transportation debate (ticketed access only) on Wednesday.
Affordable transportation options are especially important for people living on low incomes in rural or remote areas, where inter-city bus service has been reduced or eliminated, and passenger rail lines are not extensive or affordable. This TVO article “No fare is fair: Should Ontario get on board with free transit?” looks at what’s being discussed by the major parties when it comes to free transit.
Thursday, May 26: Regional wage vs. $20 minimum wage – what’s the difference? As part of their Election Toolkit, on Thursday Justice for Workers widely released their one-pager looking at the difference between two proposed ways to improve wages for workers.
Also on Thursday, SALCO tweeted new infographics: “What are the parties saying about Education?”
Friday, May 27: ISAC released the received responses to its Provincial Election Income Security Questionnaire, which was sent to all four major parties. Three parties responded to the questionnaire which included questions on ending poverty, raising the minimum wage, fixing social assistance, supporting people with disabilities, and addressing the digital divide. Click here to read the questions and the answers document.
The Black Legal Action Centre (BLAC) released its Guide to the Election as well as a short video (posted below as well) about what the major political parties are planning to do to address anti-Black racism in education, employment, housing, health, and criminal justice. You can also check out their other resources on their website here.
Anything can happen during an election, but here are notable events coming up next week:
Saturday, May 28 is the Last Day to Vote at an Advance Polling Location! Elections Ontario has the most up to date information about how and where to vote.
Saturday, May 28: Injured Workers Action for Justice (IWA4J) and Justicia – Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) are holding an Ontario Election Province-wide, All-Candidates Virtual Town Hall on Injured Workers Rights. The focus will be on getting a better handle on each party’s platform on injured workers’ rights. The event will be held online over Zoom, and interpretation in Mandarin and Spanish will be available. The event goes from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. You can register for the event by clicking here.
Wednesday, June 1: A Rally and Online Town Hall for Injured Workers is being held at 10 am on Zoom. The rally is organized by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups, and no registration is required. On June 1 at 10 am, just click on this Zoom link to join.
Thursday, June 2 – ELECTION DAY!
If you haven’t voted in the advanced polls, by mail, by special ballot, or any other way supported by Elections Ontario, you can cast your ballot at your local polling station on June 2, 2022.
Elections Ontario has the most up to date information about how and where to vote.
People who have no fixed address can vote in the area where they have been living for the 5 weeks before the election date. Food banks and shelters can offer houseless people a “Certificate of Identity and Residence”.
If you are not on the list of voters on election day, you can register on the spot at the polling location associated with your address (check the Elections Ontario website for more specific information.)
According to Elections Ontario, photo ID is not required to vote. If you choose to provide photo ID, your appearance does not need to match the photo. You do not need to provide any information about your sex or gender when you go to vote. ID can be shown on a mobile device. International ID or permanent resident cards are not accepted.
Check back next Wednesday for our final weekly round-up!