Federal Election

We at Parent Support Services Society want to encourage everyone to get involved in learning and promoting the issues that are priorities for this election. It is alarming to me that so few Canadians exercise their right (and responsibility) to vote and yet so many are happy to complain about the results and the directions government takes. Please do take the time to get informed and then get out and vote. Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.

Of course our priorities relate to such crucial issues as ending poverty; increasing safe, affordable housing; increasing access to justice; providing accessible, affordable child care; and ensuring parents and grandparents have the support they need to keep their families intact and safe in their own homes and communities. Addressing poverty and violence in our communities will have broad based benefits for all and ultimately will save dollars and lives.

Yes there are other concerns, however, if funds are limited, where are they best spent to create the greattest good for all? Do we have the collective wisdom for long term vision that protects the health and well being of the planet, works towards true equality and justice for all people, and ensures our children and grandchildren have a sustainable country and world where they can live well and in peace? What would it mean for everyone to have "enough"?

Here are a few suggestions of places to explore to help with your voting decision: First Call's Federal Election Kit is now available for download at http://www.firstcallbc.org/currentissues-election.html The election kit is a tool for individuals and communities to promote child and youth rights in the May 2, 2011 election.

Find out more about each party's platform and policies from their web sites:

New Democratic Party: "http://www.ndp.ca/platform"

Green Party: "http://greenparty.ca

Liberal Party:"http://www.liberal.ca/"

Conservative Party: "http://www.conservative.ca/"

Other sites to check:
Civil Society Organizations Campaign 2000 (www.campaign2000.ca) Campaign 2000 is a cross-Canada public education movement to build support for the 1989 all party House of Commons resolution that pledged to end child poverty in Canada by the year 2000.

Canada Without Poverty (www.cwp-csp.ca) Canada Without Poverty is a not for profit, non- partisan, member- based organization dedicated to the eradication of poverty.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (www.policyalternatives.ca) The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Ottawa, offers an alternative to the message that citizens have no choice about the policies that affect them, and promotes research on social/economic justice.

Canadian Council for International Co-operation (www.ccic.ca) A coalition of Canadian voluntary sector organizations working globally for sustainable human development, the Canadian Council for International Co-operation seeks to end global poverty, and to promote social justice and human dignity for all.

Canadian Council for Refugees (www.ccrweb.ca) The Canadian Council for Refugees is a non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees in Canada and around the world and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada.

Canadian Health Coalition (www.healthcoalition.ca) This not-for-profit and non-partisan organization is dedicated to protecting and expanding Canada’s public health system for the benefit of all Canadians.