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L)THREE EASY WAYS
TO GET INVOLVED
It’s time to act now and post later.
STEP ONE to getting involved during this election season: Find
out who is running in your electoral district through the Elections
Ca n ad a site. Step t wo? Wel l , t h at’s up to you. Here a re t h ree ot her
way s to get i nvolved i n t he pro ces s t h at go b eyond double -t appi ng.
Merge advocacy with personal interests.
Action isn’t limited to protesting or signing a petition. In fact,
there are more and more ways to merge passion projects and
participation. Interested in theatre? Calgary-based Downstage
produces inventive plays that aim to start conversations about topics
like ocean pollution or debt. (And its Pay It Forward program
provides free tickets for anyone who wants to attend—no reason
needed.) Whether you want to audition, submit your own script or
simply be a member of the audience, there’s a place for everyone.
Be a mentor—or get one.
Toronto-based organization G(irls)20 works with non-profit
governmental and social sectors to create more places for women
at the table. Volunteer as a coach and provide professional men-
torship to young women ages 18 to 25—or, if you’re in a position
of power, do like the Canadian Mental Health Association and
the Public Policy Forum have done and offer up space on your
board for emerging leaders to have their ideas heard.
Find people who will support you.
There are still so many barriers that marginalized women face
when looking to participate in politics. Young Women’s Leadership
Network is a non-profit that builds community and political
leadership among black, Indigenous and racialized women and
non-binary people. Through education and training workshops,
the organization provides opportunities for girls to learn about
inclusive policy-making, gain professional development skills
and hear from established leaders and politicians. ERICA NGAO h
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WHO Rosemarie Powell,
executive director, Toronto
Community Benefits Network
THE ISSUE Opportunities
for young peopleTHE REASON “I’m looking at
inclusion in the labour market and
at the historic and systemic racism
and discrimination in employment.
Bringing to light the situation and
working with different stakeholders
to address these issues is really
important. We’re missing out on a
pool of talent, and we need better
outcomes for people who have
been systematically discriminated
against in the labour market.”
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1
2
23%
The percentage of
women who didn’t vote
in the 2015 federal
election because they
were “too busy.”
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA