ELECTION 2019 Making the electoral process more accessible for those living with Acquired Brain Injury
TODAY'S TOPICS About Brain Injury Canada and Elections Canada The Electoral Process Why You Should Vote Challenges and Barriers Faced By Those With ABI The Campaign Process It's Our Vote - Federal election 2019 Voting - Step by Step
PRESENTERS Michelle McDonald Executive Director, Brain Injury Canada Juan Melara-Pineda Senior Outreach Officer, Elections Canada
WELCOME! Take your time Pause the recording when you need to Take notes Send us questions info@braininjurycanada.ca www.braininjurycanada.ca/election2019
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY CANADA The mission of Brain Injury Canada is to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families/caregivers living with brain injury in Canada. Our vision is for all individuals and families/caregivers living with the effects of brain injury are supported, valued and engaged in their communities. The Board, staff and volunteers of Brain Injury Canada are dedicated to facilitating post- trauma research, education, awareness and advocacy in partnership with national, provincial/territorial and regional associations and other stakeholders.
ABOUT ELECTIONS CANADA Elections Canada is the independent, non-partisan agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums. Their mission is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate. Elections Canada's day-to-day activities and decision making are guided by the following key values: a knowledgeable and professional workforce, transparency in everything we do, responsiveness to the needs of Canadians involved in the electoral process, cohesiveness and consistency in administering the Canada Elections Act, continuously earning and maintaining the public's trust, stewardship and accountability in how we manage our resources.
WORKING TOGETHER In preparation for the upcoming Federal Election in Fall 2019, Brain Injury Canada is collaborating with Elections Canada to achieve an accessible and inclusive electoral process for those with acquired brain injury.
ELECTION 2019 The Electoral Process
DURING A FEDERAL ELECTION The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the following democratic rights: Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote in an election. Every Canadian citizen has the right to run for office in an election. An election must take place at least once every five years. Elected representatives must meet at least once a year.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS? 1. Dissolution The Governor General ends Parliament on the request of the Prime Minister and directs that the writs of election be issued. The Chief Electoral Officer issues the writs. These direct Elections Canada officials, called returning officers, to hold an election in each riding. Elections Canada sends preliminary lists of voters to the returning officers.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS? 2. Candidates Once an election is called, each party decides who its candidate will be in each riding. A candidate can also run for election without a party, as either “independent” or “no affiliation.” 3. Campaigning During the campaign period, candidates try to convince voters that they are the best choice to represent them in Parliament.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS? 4. Voting The most common way to vote is at the polls on election day. Electors must prove their identity and address before getting a ballot. They then go behind a voting screen to privately mark their ballot. Election workers must follow strict procedures to ensure the secrecy of the vote.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS? 5. Counting Once the polling stations close, Elections Canada officials open the ballot boxes and count the ballots. The candidate who receives the most votes in the riding becomes its member of Parliament (MP) and represents it in the House of Commons. The political party that has the most MPs usually forms the government and the leader of the political party with the most MPs typically becomes the prime minister.
ELECTION 2019 Why should you vote?
YOUR VOTE COUNTS Your vote is your voice! Voting for the candidate of your choice is a privilege of our democracy that is not an option to many people across the world. By casting your vote, you are: choosing a candidate you think will best represent you and what important to you, engaged and informed in the electoral process, supporting democracy and everything it stands for, showing your responsibility and interest to how the country is run, stating a vested interest in the future of Canada.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS Elections have been won by just a few votes, so every vote matters. Even if the candidate you choose does not win, your vote shows where your support lies and this can help shape the government’s decisions.
BRAIN INJURY AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS Challenges and barriers faced by those with ABI
BRAIN INJURY CANADA ONLINE SURVEY In February 2019, an online survey about past experience with the electoral process was developed and distributed in both French and English to the 60+ provincial and community brain injury associations across Canada for dissemination to their members. The results give insight into the experience of Canadians across the country and the barriers they face.
CHALLENGES FOR THOSE WITH ABI WITH ACCESS TO INFORMATION The way information is presented: Too many acronyms, Not written in plain language, Lack of visual aids to support written content, Not enough content in video format which can be easier to view, large volumes of information presented at one time. Websites are hard to navigate, cluttered and too overwhelming Content is not all accessible by screen readers Platforms are confusing, making it hard to figure out where candidates stand on some issues Candidates do not make the time to come in person to disability organizations
CHALLENGES FOR THOSE WITH ABI WITH THE CAMPAIGN PROCESS Events are not always accessible Candidates speak too quickly Large crowd size and noise is an issue for those with sensory issues Many people get anxious and overwhelmed and lose track of the actual discussion Events are often not streamed online (would enable some to attend virtually and watch at their own pace) Events are often held in the evening which is a challenge for those with fatigue Transportation to events is a challenge and not always available People face anxiety about speaking in front of large crowds, but still want to be able to voice their questions Some events are last minute and people do not have time to prepare to attend
CHALLENGES FOR THOSE ABI WITH THE VOTING PROCESS People feel they don’t have time to vote and feel pressured by line ups. The ballot is confusing and cluttered. The list of names and parties displayed all on one page can be overwhelming. Voting booths are small causing issues for those with mobility impairments and spatial sensitivities. Polling stations are loud, lighting is too bright and there are too many people. Polling station workers are not aware of the invisible nature of some disabilities. Those in wheelchairs are moved to the front of the line. People feel anxious approaching workers for help. People with communication challenges are often treated with frustration or impatience. People have not been allowed to bring a companion for support right to the voting booth. Sometimes it is for balance or mobility issues, and sometimes it is for anxiety. Include accessible voting booths that have rails or stabilizers to help those with mobility issues. People forget what accessible voting aids are available and they are not clearly posted
ELECTION 2019 The Campaign Process
FINDING YOUR CANDIDATE Find a candidate that cares about the same things you do. We all have different interests and we want a candidate that will represent those interests. Economy Taxes Human Rights Education Accessibility Childcare Healthcare Environment Military Housing Employment Immigration
FINDING YOUR CANDIDATE Decide what you are looking for in a candidate. Find out about the candidates Gather materials about the candidates Evaluate candidates' stance on issues Learn about the candidates' leadership abilities Learn how other people view the candidate Visit www.elections.ca to find the list of candidates
COMMUNICATING WITH CANDIDATES Write a letter to your candidate by mail or by email If you are comfortable, call or drop by their campaign office. While you may not be able to meet with the candidate directly, a meeting with one of their staff can be very effective. Contact the candidates in your riding to see if they have an accessibility policy and if they have staff designated to accessibility.
COMMUNICATING WITH CANDIDATES Ask for communications in formats that work for you. Ask for a listing of all campaign events in advance so you can plan which ones you would like to attend based on your needs. Offer to educate candidates on the challenges faced by those living with ABI in Canada, and more specifically in their riding.
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