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connect Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre
WINTER 2014
Making Votes Count by Maria Friis, WOCRC Community Developer
Making Votes Count on October 27, 2014: Who is running to represent you in the Ottawa municipal election? What do the candidates running for City Council stand for? Who will the mayoral candidates be? A group of women in Kanata have joined a city-wide community research project to hear from a diversity of residents living on low incomes, what the barriers are to voting in elections and what can be done to increase voter turn-out.
Making Votes Count From L to R: Ying Hou. Marta Restrepo, Jing Lu, Wen Jean Ho, Maria Friis
Mentored by WOCRC’s Community Developer Maria Friis, the women’s group has facilitated three focus groups in Kanata and West Carleton. We heard from people living on low incomes that residents want a City government that puts people first, where basic needs such as affordable housing, access to healthy food and quality child care are on the agenda. We heard that residents wanted a more transparent City government, with candidates who listen to and represent the views of people who may be isolated because of where they live, their income level,
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Citizenship status, age, ability, first language, and so on. Residents also wanted meaningful opportunities to provide input into City decisions that impact their lives. Making Votes Count is a three year partnership between the Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres and City for All Women Initiative. The project is not endorsing any candidate who may be choosing to run in the election, but focusing on how residents can learn more about who they may wish to vote for. A research committee will compile the community data gathered from across the City, with a report scheduled for release in January 2014. In the meantime, the Kanata women’s group will be busy finding out what characteristics residents want to see in a City Councillor as well as who will be running in the municipal elections and the issues they stand for. What’s important to you in your neighbourhood and City? Do you have a list of questions ready at your door for when the candidates come knocking, asking you what’s important for you? City Councillors listen to the people who elect them. October 27, 2014 is your chance to have a vote. Make it count. For more information contact Maria Friis, WOCRC Community Developer at friis@wocrc.ca or 613-591-3686 ext. 256.
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