Authors Note: while this post is tailored to a specific context and party, the ideas and principles can and should be adapted to make sure all political democratic parties hear your voice.
Ontario is approaching an election and the canvassing for support is starting. As such, political canvassers will be reaching out to many of you soon whether it's at your door, over the phone, or at a public event.
Now this may sound strange to some of you, but I implore you, regardless of whether or not you traditionally or currently support the party and their platform, listen to and engage with everyone who approaches you on behalf of a political party.
We want who we want in, but there is something you can learn from another group's approach and point of view. Whether you're learning on behalf of yourself or your cause. Ultimately, engaging different people is essential to avoid becoming a polarized society, to stop dehumanizing thoughts about "the other side" in their tracks. To believe in things based on merit instead of whether or not it defies the group you don't identify with.
Secondly, engaging people who don't support a platform you believe in is actually your secret weapon.
Because regardless of whether or not it looks like the party or candidate you want in, will get in, you shouldn't let your voice be left on the table.
Regardless of who wins the election, it is still their job to represent you and your concerns.
This election, let's support the platform and candidates we believe in and make sure our concerns are heard by all parties.
When you're engaging with people whose platform doesn't align with yours, talk about your concerns. Even if it's not someone you feel has significant decision-making power, when you say something, you disrupt the same old same old ideas and messaging that person consumes.
That has an impact.
On that person, on their friends, on their family. And if enough people say something, that party has to do something.
Be polite, but assertive. Read the person and situation to determine to what degree. If it's another citizen like you, make sure they don't feel attacked because that will usually shut people off. If it's an MPP candidate, you might feel freer to passionately express yourself.
Figure out the best way to do it, then call bullshit. It is your right.
I recently had a run-in with someone from the Progressive Conservatives and here's the list of bullshit I wish I'd called, bullshit that you should call as well, because everyone can and should support fairness, equality and a healthy planet for us, everything around us, and the future.
1. Call threats to repeal climate change action:
Ontario, with its cap and trade system, which is not the same thing as a carbon tax, is a climate change action leader, this plan is literally helping us save the world and I cannot support a party who does not have a climate change action plan. I want to see the PCs pitch one.
How exactly would a carbon tax kill jobs anyway? Renewable energy is the fastest growing job sector, and it employs more people and for longer than the entire fossil fuel industry combined.
2. Call lack of support for a healthy happy planet and population in favour of an obsession with taxes:
It matters to me that Ontario has clean air, water and land for myself and generations to come. We have phased out coal. It is imperative the PCs continue building on this work.
3. Call lack of support for funding important causes to improve life in Ontario:
Funding society is respecting taxpayers dollars; I want to see investment in the future, in youth, social services and green infrastructure. Sure a tax break would be nice in the short term, but when your leader is calling investment in young families "spending money [the province] doesn't have" you imply equality, emotional mental health is worth less than a balanced budget.
4. Call lack of action for Youth
I want to see support for and engagement with diverse youth. Most young people have lost faith in our democracy. It is extremely difficult to be a young professional from high tuition fees to a lack of jobs. Mental health concerns are at an extreme high. I want to see the PCs create a plan to support, engage and inspire youth.
5. Call Sexism.
It's clear sexism has a significant hold in the party. Recently, you choose an uninformed, demagogue, inexperienced in provincial politics over highly skilled, qualified women. Most of the party clearly doesn't care enough about gender equality to see how silly and sexist of a move that was. I would have loved to see all three major provincial parties being led by women, I would have loved knowing the next premier would very likely be a woman.
6. Call failure to do anything but "bash" and tear down
I want to see a plan to do better. The PC platform talks a lot about how other parties have failed. Simply calling out the failures does not contribute to our democracy, does not make Ontario better. I want to know what the plan is to do better and why that's better. I want a plan addresses my concerns and represents ALL OF US.
7. Call the break with rationality and values
I want to see defined beliefs beyond "what defies the Liberals"
8. Call failure to serve the people
Stop fighting the Liberals, they are not the enemy, and do your job, which is to fight for the people of your province. Stop wasting energy on this vendetta to "beat them"
Focus on fighting the systems that benefit select elite at the expense of everyone else. Focus on empowering your people to see they don't need to be fighting over crumbs when there is an entire damn pie out there that the top 1% is keeping from them.
Stop fighting the so-called "other side" and start fighting for your people like you were supposed to be doing all along
Final note: If you are eligible PLEASE VOTE. Election time is one of the easiest times for your voice to be heard, one of the times it will ring the loudest.
