Over the last several months, Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) district and regional labour councils across Ontario have been reviewing candidates who are running for mayor, municipal and regional councils, and school boards in the municipal election on Monday, October 26.
This is important work that involves questionnaires completed by and interviews with the candidates, as well as research on incumbent candidates’ voting records and their demonstrated commitment (or lack thereof) to union principles.
In many cases, CUPE local executive members are actively involved in their labour council’s political action committees that are responsible for the endorsement process.
For frontline CUPE members, choosing municipal candidates to vote for often comes down to who values your work enough to keep it from being cut or privatized—who’s prepared to provide the resources you and your coworkers need to do your jobs and serve your communities well.
So, CUPE Ontario has compiled a list of endorsed candidates in a Candidate Finder our CUPEvotes.ca website.
Different municipalities conduct their elections in slightly different ways. For example, some have online voting, some don’t. Some may still have advance polls open, while others have closed their advance polls already meaning the only time left for you to vote is on election day: Monday, October 26.
In most places, a voter card is mailed to your home; please read it for details about where to go to vote. Otherwise, check your city or town’s official website for information about when and where to vote on Monday.
Remember, vote like your job depends on it. … because it does! Political choices made by the people who get elected are going to determine whether enough recourses are made available to adequately fund the vital work you do for your community.
In solidarity,
Yolanda McClean
President, CUPE Ontario