It is federal general election campaign times in Canada! If you turn on your TV on one of the news hours: twelve at noon, six in the afternoon or eleven at night, you will surely catch some information on issues in this election. Economy seems to be number one- creating jobs, raising the minimum wage, lowering the unemployment rate, increasing exports, etc. Other issues include youth welfare, Veterans’ care, First Nations’ concern, foreign relations, national security and same-sex marriage.
We are all very busy with our own personal concerns many of us say they do not have time for politics. But all these concerns mentioned above and probably others affect us. We have to be concerned about the people to whom we shall give the responsibility to govern us and make decisions on issues that affect us.
Elections here in Canada bring memories of similar situations in the Philippines. From what I have heard recently, practices have not changed very much except for the use of modern technology.
I remember very well one instance when an eight-year old nephew of mine came home and reported: “Bumoto na kayo ngayon. Namimigay ng hopya sa presinto. Baka mamaya maubos na ang hopya. Ang daming tao!” (The hopya was the attraction to vote.)
In another instance, I heard a gentleman tell another: “Iboto mo ang candidate ko. Kumpare ko ito. Pag nanalo siya pihong may trabaho tayo.”
The motives to vote are often very personal. The national welfare is often neglected.
Here in Canada, we often do not take part in political discussions. What appears to be more important are to earn more money, be sure that we have enough food, we are warm-enough for the winter, and we send enough money to our relatives in the Philippines. We forget that we belong to the community here, we have to share our ideas and take part in decision-making.
Voting is a form of decision-making. We select the candidate whom we think would work for the common good. Each of the political parties have main goals to pursue. We ought to be familiar with those goals. We also need to know the candidates from our own riding. Is he/she an upright person who will work for the welfare of your community and not for his/her own interests?
Do you have other qualms about voting? Are you worried about your ability to comprehend the processes and procedures? There is no need for such concerns. Elections Canada has endeavored to prepare the public to be able to vote with ease. Materials on topics like the following are available in all communities Go to your community centre and get copies:
Voter’s Checklist (Important things to know before voting)
The Guide for Voting
Voter ID
Accessible Voting
Four (4) ways to Vote
There are also telephone numbers on those information sheets that you can call if you have other concerns.
The Canadian Ethnocultural Council, a non-profit, non governmental organization devoted to issues that concern ethnocultural groups, has undertaken projects to assist in dessimminating information about voting in Canada. The CEC has worked in previous years to assist particular groups/communities to be aware of certain diseases like Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections that may be common in their countries of origin, how to avoid and cure/treat them.
On September 19, 2015, the CEC held workshops in Toronto for Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese and other ethnocultural groups on preparation to vote.
The Filipino group had about twenty-five leaders from the Greater Toronto Area who had a lively exchange of ideas on the topic. Some opinions were highlighted:
That one of the reasons qualified voters do not practice their right to vote is fear, especially if they think that they are not proficient in English
Most Filipinos are proficient in English.
Some ethnocultural members feel they do not belong.
A number mentioned that they are working.
Information was given that workers are allowed four hours to go out of work and vote. All members of ethnocultural groups belong and they have a civic duty to vote.
There are also other days and ways of voting aside from October 19, 2015. Voters should explore these possibilities.
We have come to Canada and made it our new home. We belong to this country just as those before us. Voting is not only a right of every citizen of a country. It is a responsibility. How can one legitimately complain that things in our country are not going well, when we did not care to participate in selecting who will govern?
Rosalina E. Bustamante
September 21, 2015
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