Vote! Get involved, vote, speak, write, raise your voice – and get Harper out

Whether you volunteer, write, canvass, talk to friends and family, or in some other way engage in, and promote, democracy in Canada, please do be involved.

Vote, encourage others to vote, talk about the issues, and let’s see a massive turn-out today, along with a lively, and much-needed, thoughtful discussion.

This is our country, and our future is at stake. If you’re not involved, get involved. It matters, and it’s never too late.

The work for peace, for justice, for environmental sanity and for democracy, is, and must-be, on-going. But today is a particularly important day. Make your voice heard.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. You either use your democratic rights, or you will surely lose them.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is a walking disaster. He is the most reviled Prime Minister since Brian Mulroney, and one of the most loathed in all Canadian history.

Harper’s record is abysmal. He has been an utter disaster with regards to the environment, health care, social programs, the economy and democracy in Canada.

Stephen Harper has the worst economic record of any Prime Minister since WWII. He continues to attack and undermine environmental and social programs and standards, and seeks to eliminate and destroy all of the protections of the people and the environment which have been won over past decades and generations.

Worst of all, Stephen Harper is quite literally waging war on, and demolishing, democracy in Canada. He has to go. His big-oil, pro-corporate agenda has been a slow-motion train-wreck for this nation. He must be removed from power, and now.

Youth in particular need to vote. Millions of youth do not vote, and the majority of them are opposed to the Harper Conservatives. We need to get the youth engaged. They will inherit this country. Let us hope there is something left for them to inherit. And there may not be, if they continue to be apathetic and involved.

Spread the word: get everyone out to vote – especially the youth.

Today is the day. Let’s make it count.

JTR,
October 19, 2015

Here is a letter from Avaaz – they are not always in the right, but they are right on this: urging all Canadians to make their voice heard.

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A handful of razor-close ridings will determine who runs our next government. Person-to-person conversations have the strongest influence on how and whether people vote. Join us in a country-wide call-in to key ridings and help us take back the Canada we love.

I’ll volunteer

Dear friends,

Real change for Canada is within our grasp, but it could still slip away – Stephen Harper’s Conservatives won a majority last election with less than 40% of the vote and they could win again this time.

This election will swing on a handful of razor-close ridings across the country.

We need to win these ridings to win Canada — so let’s come together for a country-wide call-in, telling Canadians where the Conservatives stand on key issues and urging them to vote for a different party instead.

If we want to win back the Canada we love, all of us need to step up. Sign up for a session using the link below and we’ll give you all the information you need to help:

I’LL VOLUNTEER

Research shows that person-to-person conversations about shared values have the strongest influence on how and whether people vote. With these ridings likely to be decided by hundreds — or even dozens — of votes, it’s no exaggeration to say that every connection we make could have an impact on the future of the country.

On the day of the calls, Avaazers across the country can log-in to a website that will have all the information you need to talk confidently to voters. All that’s needed is a computer and a phone (and don’t worry, no long distance charges!).

Voting can feel very personal and it can feel scary to talk to someone in a totally different part of the country about unfamiliar issues, but by our own small actions right now we can literally change how our entire country is run. The Avaaz community is about working together to courageously close the gap between the world we have and the world most people want. If we let our courage triumph over fear, we can help win back a caring Canada, with a stronger, sustainable economy — one that reflects the hopes and dreams of a real majority of Canadians.

Let’s make it happen:

I’LL VOLUNTEER

The Conservatives have been in power for 10 years. We’re in danger of another 5 years, but not if the country pulls together in key ridings, and makes sure that locals elect candidates who will help us take back Canada. There’s no time to lose.

With hope,

Danny, Ari, Emma, Ricken, Melanie, Evan, Ben, and the rest of the Avaaz team

Authorised by Avaaz

(Go to Avaaz or other sites to see which ridings are most pivotal. But wherever you are, speak up and speak out!)

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And here is a letter from the Council of Canadians, urging everyone to vote, and giving details about how to vote, where, and what you will need to be able to vote – as well as giving excellent background information on major issues, and why the Harper government needs to be defeated:

Dear friends, Millions of people are voting for change. In the last election, just a handful of voters made the difference in electing a majority government for the Harper Conservatives. This election could be even closer. The power to decide the outcome of this election is in your hands. Be a voter, and bring as many other voters as possible with you to the polls. What to vote for The Council of Canadians is non-partisan and does not endorse any parties or candidates. But if you haven’t yet made up your mind on who to vote for, our voter’s guide highlights where the parties stand on key issues. After nine years of job losses, health care privatization, falling wages, environmental neglect, eroding democracy, and cuts to public services, it’s time for change. But that will only happen if you go vote for it. How and where to vote Be sure to double-check your local voting times – they vary from region to region. By law, if you’re eligible to vote, your employer has to ensure you have enough time on election day to vote. Remember, because of changes brought in by the “Fair” Elections Act, it’s best to make sure that you have the ID you’ll need to vote. If you’ve received a Voter Information Card in the mail, you can’t use it as ID to vote, but you can use it to find your local polling station. You can also check with Elections Canada to confirm your polling location. If you’re not yet registered, you can do so at your polling station. Just bring the same ID you would need to vote. How to defend your right to vote Changes brought in by the Fair Elections Act mean it will be more difficult for some people to vote this election. If you’re having problems, be persistent. A friend or neighbour can attest to your address if your ID is inadequate. You can also ask to speak to the Deputy Returning Officer or the Chief Returning Officer. If you witness anyone being prevented from voting, or if you’re unable to vote yourself, you can report it at our new election monitoring service, VoteWatch. We’ll follow up after the election to discuss your voting experience. It’s time for change. Be a voter and you can make it happen. Our democracy is counting on you. With hope and resolve, Maude Barlow National Chairperson P.S. After you vote, take a “voter selfie.” Share a picture of yourself on social media with a sign about why you voted, using the hashtag #ivoted2015.