Our democratic processes will count for little if our political and economic institutions remain under the control of political and economic elites. Locally, we need to have more say in economic decision-making and to have a direct voice in decisions that affect our lives. Civil society enables local stakeholders to develop their own civic power, to declare their common rights as citizens, giving them democratic means for voicing local concerns and translating them into collective action. This means developing a shared responsibility and accountability for the common good that cannot be achieved without the inspiration and force of civil society groups behind it.
The next ten to twenty years will be critical in shaping our ability to successfully transition to the economy of the future. One that is greener, more community focused and more environmentally sustainable. Some governments will rise to the occasion while others will resist every step of the way. We need to support leaders who are prepared to embrace the future and tackle these challenges head on. It will mean investing in new technologies and the shift to a greener and caring economy. We need to transition to a post-growth economy focused on a better distribution of the abundance nature provides us and that we can generate for use by all. Everyone must be able to participate in the management of our shared resources through a rebuilding of the commons and democratizing of our communities and workplaces.
Issue Eight: Ask Tough Questions and Demand Clear Answers
What does it mean to give everyone a fair chance to succeed? What does it mean to look out for the little guy, as our current Premier often claims is central to his agenda? It means looking out for those whose basic needs are not being addressed. It means caring for the most vulnerable. And as we learned during COVID, it means recognizing that inequalities and risks can disproportionately impact many front-line workers who we depend on every day.
As you cast your votes on June 2nd, ask yourself this. In my riding, which candidate is best able to ensure that we will ensure that we are creating a future Ontario that includes everyone and that strengthens our democratic institutions? Which solutions are taking us in the direction of the future I want to leave to my elders and grand children?
And ask the candidates questions such as these.
1) how will your proposals deliver on the promise of re-imagining elder care in ways that end warehousing our parents and instead offer them home-like places to age in place?
2) how does your party platform demonstrate an understand that the housing affordability crisis requires direct public investments in non-profit housing and lease-to-own models and not just rushing through more unaffordable developments?
3) how do your proposals take us beyond our continuing dependence on highways and the threat they pose to farmland and environmentally sensitive areas?
4) how is your party platform committed to doing away with our punishing and dehumanizing social assistance system and replacing it with both an adequate livable income and a job guarantee?
5) what is your plan to ensure that Ontario families get the $13.2 billion in affordable child care, including cutting fees by 50% by the end of 2022? And, finally
6) what is your plan to strengthen democracy including proportional representation, strengthening the role of local government, and rekindling local democracy through direct democracy and civic engagement?
