It’s kind of sad that the abysmal voter turnout in the recent Ontario election (about 45 per cent, unofficially) is actually higher than it was in the previous provincial election (about 43 per cent). That means more than half of those in Ontario who were eligible to vote just didn’t bother.
Of course, the winter weather probably kept many from the polls, especially those with limited mobility. We should never be complacent about a right that millions around the world don’t have, but we also need to vote, regardless of the party we support, because all levels of government have the power to make life better or harder for women and children.
For instance, the federal government deals with big policies on criminal and constitutional justice including questions such as abortion and punishments under the law for intimate partner violence. It can also lead the way forward when it comes to giving women an equal voice in the most powerful decision-making bodies and national initiatives like subsidized daycare. And, of course, it can also revoke or undermine those policies and initiatives, too.
Federal programs are often a source of financial support for special undertakings like Lori’s Place Second Stage Housing, owned and operated by Woman’s Resources, and renovated with a substantial grant from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. This facility includes apartments for those who need an affordable place as they work to rebuild their lives after abuse.
At Women’s Resources, much of the government funding provided for the day-to-day operation of our shelter and other programs and services comes from the province of Ontario. That means it’s critical to vote at the provincial level to ensure that desperately needed support continues no matter who forms the government.
Although they’re often overlooked, and even fewer people vote in them, municipal elections also matter for women. In June 2024, our Kawartha Lakes council voted to officially declare intimate partner violence an epidemic, encouraging organizations of municipalities in Ontario to do likewise. The declaration also called on the federal and provincial governments to enact the recommendations of the Culleton, Kuzyk and Warmerdam Inquest – which ranged from gun control to the need for a more victim-centric approach to investigating abuse.
Why are we talking about elections now? Well, a federal election is widely expected to be called any time, offering an opportunity to vote for women’s rights and safety. And at the local level, residents of Ward 5 in Kawartha Lakes will elect a new councillor in a by-election being held on April 15. There are six candidates and many ways to vote, so check the city’s website for details if you live in the ward.
No matter what the level of the election or when it’s held, we can make sure that issues affecting women, especially related to intimate partner violence, are part of the discussion. Ask questions, inform yourself, and most important of all, vote!
By Nancy Payne
