Hello GRANs,
We don’t have to tell you that this is an incredibly important election for Canada and the world.
As we begin to see the devastating impacts in the Global South of cuts to USAID, and as other wealthy countries have announced their own cuts to aid spending, we need to let our candidates know that we support international assistance.
The good news is that election campaigns provide a unique opportunity to be heard and to make a real impact. Our voices matter. The candidates who are campaigning to become our MPs want to know what we care about.
Let’s be clear with the message that Canadian aid matters and is a vital investment to build a healthier, more prosperous, and more secure world. Aid saves lives and futures, helps to stop conflicts before they start, prevents disease outbreaks from becoming pandemics, and builds strong economies at home and abroad. Let’s communicate our pride in Canadian aid and let our candidates know that supporting the health, wellbeing, and dignity of people around the world is a fundamental Canadian value.
Your Election Toolkit – Ready, Set, Go!
Our friends at Results Canada have provided this toolkit to help us communicate our support for Canadian aid. (Note: If you prefer, you can ask for a print version of the toolkit to be mailed to you by contacting Gabriel@resultscanada.org.) The online toolkit includes a handout to give to candidates, a poster to put in your window, Q+As about why Canadian aid is important, points to make in a Letter to the Editor, sample posts to use on social media, questions you might ask at an all-candidates forum, and an invitation to participate in a Day of Action on Saturday, April 5th. (The Day of Action calls on Canadians all across the country to simply stop by and drop off this handout at each candidate’s campaign office in their riding – a reversal of the usual campaign door-knocking role!)
You can also get involved by following and amplifying messages on social media with the hashtag, #AidWorks. Show your support by “liking” or reposting the short videos that have been created by everyday Canadians speaking up in support of international assistance.
In addition to all the great resources provided by Results Canada, we encourage you to raise the issue of child hunger and malnutrition in any discussions you have with candidates. You can refer to our Child Hunger backgrounder or slide presentation for ideas. (And feel free to provide copies to your candidates, or their staff — we want to raise awareness with them too!)
We’d love to hear back about any election actions you take, and also any responses from your candidates. Just send a quick email to info@grandmothersadvocacy.org .
Let’s gird ourselves for action, GRANs. These few weeks leading up to Election Day will be critical for making our voices heard.
Linda and Cathy
GRAN Co-Chairs
