New Coalition Calls on Party Leaders to Restore Democracy and Freedom of Speech
Voices-Voix, a coalition of labour unions
and progressive groups from throughout
Canada, is raising concern over the
erosion of democratic freedoms and
human rights under the Conservative
government of Stephen Harper.
Voices-Voix puts forth solutions to
restoring individual liberties.
Read letter
Voices-Voix, a coalition of labour unions
and progressive groups from throughout
Canada, is raising concern over the
erosion of democratic freedoms and
human rights under the Conservative
government of Stephen Harper.
Voices-Voix puts forth solutions to
restoring individual liberties.
Read letter
Federal Election 2011:
RAISE YOUR VOICE, CAST YOUR VOTE
RAISE YOUR VOICE, CAST YOUR VOTE
CCU Initiates Political Education Campaign, asks Workers to “Raise Their Voice, Cast Their Vote”
Toronto, Canada - A national labour union confederation kicked off a political education drive aimed at increasing voter turnout for the May 2nd federal election.
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), representing thousands of union members throughout the country, has received responses from a questionnaire it sent to the five major parties at the beginning of the election campaign. Named “Raise Your Voice, Cast Your Vote,” the questionnaire relates to issues that matter to wage earners and working class people.
“For far too long, elections and political parties have ignored the concerns of workers, and it has caused millions of them to stay at home on voting day,” says CCU President Joanie Cameron Pritchett. “That’s why we asked the parties directly about their views on unions, wages, collective bargaining and workers rights.”
The fifteen questions in the document also discuss the environment, health care, trade, jobs, child care, education and human rights, and the responses received from the Liberals, NDP, Greens and Bloc Quebecois (in French) are posted on the organization’s website.
The Conservative Party, however, did not return their responses. “We gave each party more than a week to complete the questionnaire, and we asked for the responses on April 12th, yet we never heard from the Conservatives," said Pritchett. “We also called them on numerous occasions, but they couldn’t even tell us when it might be completed.”
Voter turnout has been rapidly declining in Canada, and statistics show that it is especially low-income and working class families that aren’t exercising their voting rights. “There were many organizations throughout the country engaged in the election,” says Robin Smith, a CCU delegate. “Our program, however, was designed specifically to speak to the concerns of workers and progressive-minded people in Canada today.”
The CCU believes their “Raise Your Voice, Cast Your Vote” campaign is the best way to engage working Canadians. “There were some surprising answers on a few of the issues,” says Smith. “But there’s nothing more genuine than asking politicians direct questions and getting straight answers, without the fluff and spin. The voters of Canada deserve nothing less.”
CCU President Joanie Cameron Pritchett is available for media interviews. Please contact the number below.
###
Contact:Joanie Cameron Pritchett, CCU President
Telephone: 416.736.5109
Email jcpritchett@ccu-csc.ca
Toronto, Canada - A national labour union confederation kicked off a political education drive aimed at increasing voter turnout for the May 2nd federal election.
The Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), representing thousands of union members throughout the country, has received responses from a questionnaire it sent to the five major parties at the beginning of the election campaign. Named “Raise Your Voice, Cast Your Vote,” the questionnaire relates to issues that matter to wage earners and working class people.
“For far too long, elections and political parties have ignored the concerns of workers, and it has caused millions of them to stay at home on voting day,” says CCU President Joanie Cameron Pritchett. “That’s why we asked the parties directly about their views on unions, wages, collective bargaining and workers rights.”
The fifteen questions in the document also discuss the environment, health care, trade, jobs, child care, education and human rights, and the responses received from the Liberals, NDP, Greens and Bloc Quebecois (in French) are posted on the organization’s website.
The Conservative Party, however, did not return their responses. “We gave each party more than a week to complete the questionnaire, and we asked for the responses on April 12th, yet we never heard from the Conservatives," said Pritchett. “We also called them on numerous occasions, but they couldn’t even tell us when it might be completed.”
Voter turnout has been rapidly declining in Canada, and statistics show that it is especially low-income and working class families that aren’t exercising their voting rights. “There were many organizations throughout the country engaged in the election,” says Robin Smith, a CCU delegate. “Our program, however, was designed specifically to speak to the concerns of workers and progressive-minded people in Canada today.”
The CCU believes their “Raise Your Voice, Cast Your Vote” campaign is the best way to engage working Canadians. “There were some surprising answers on a few of the issues,” says Smith. “But there’s nothing more genuine than asking politicians direct questions and getting straight answers, without the fluff and spin. The voters of Canada deserve nothing less.”
CCU President Joanie Cameron Pritchett is available for media interviews. Please contact the number below.
###
Contact:Joanie Cameron Pritchett, CCU President
Telephone: 416.736.5109
Email jcpritchett@ccu-csc.ca
Responses to CCU Questionnaire
NOTE: The Conservative Party did not provide the CCU with their responses.
THE ISSUES
What this election is about - and what you can do
Working people didn't create the
recent economic crisis, but we're
sure being asked to pay for it.
Find out what the key issues are
for wage earners and working
families in Canada, and how you
can get involved.
Go to Elections 2011 Issues and
Action Centre
What this election is about - and what you can do
Working people didn't create the
recent economic crisis, but we're
sure being asked to pay for it.
Find out what the key issues are
for wage earners and working
families in Canada, and how you
can get involved.
Go to Elections 2011 Issues and
Action Centre
Resources
To make sure that you're registered to vote and to find your voting place, go to Elections Canada website
To make sure that you're registered to vote and to find your voting place, go to Elections Canada website
The Confederation of Canadian Unions - 4700 Keele St., Room 065, East Office Building. Toronto, Ontario. M3J 1P3. Phone 416.736.5109. Fax 416-736-5519. contact@ccu-csc.ca. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Designed by Sean Cain, Better World Communications (www.freelancewrite.org).
Designed by Sean Cain, Better World Communications (www.freelancewrite.org).
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