Make gender justice an election priority

The federal election campaign is underway, and voting will take place on Monday, September 20, 2021. This election is happening during a uniquely challenging time. Our communities are struggling to cope with the climate catastrophe, continued colonialism and dispossession of Indigenous peoples, systemic discrimination in policing, health care and other institutions, and increasing economic and social inequality in the COVID-19 pandemic. Women and particularly Indigenous and racialized women, Two-Spirit people, intersex people, gender non-conforming people, trans people of all genders (not only women), and people with non-binary gender identities continue to be left behind by federal policies and inaction on critical issues that must no longer be ignored.

In the next four years, we must see the rights of Indigenous people respected, and a real commitment to advancing equality and ending gender-based violence and discrimination. We have identified three issues we want to see all federal parties prioritize:

Prioritize the health and wellbeing of Indigenous children, youth, and families by implementing the Spirit Bear Plan
Prioritize economic equality and the right to be free from poverty by providing universal access to an effective social safety net
Prioritize the right of people marginalized because of their gender to live free from violence by implementing a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, and the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S National Inquiry Report.

If you share these priorities, please join us by sending a letter to the candidates in your riding today.

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Dear [recipient position will go here] [recipient name will go here],

Your Letter *

I am preparing to vote in the upcoming federal election, and I am writing to ask that, if elected, your party will take the following actions:

1. Prioritize the health and wellbeing of Indigenous children, youth, and families by implementing the Spirit Bear Plan. The federal government must:

• Immediately cease its discriminatory funding of First Nations child and family services and implement Jordan’s Principle
• Address the funding gaps in the federal provision of services like education, health, water, and child welfare
• Carry out an independent evaluation for all departments providing services to Indigenous children and families to identify discriminatory policies or ideologies, and address any issues including by providing mandatory training

2. Prioritize economic equality and the right to be free from poverty by providing universal access to an effective social safety net. This includes:

• Affordable, adequate, and accessible childcare
• Improving employment standards for low-wage, precarious, and part-time workers
• Strengthening financial supports and addressing poverty
• Pay equity
• Addressing violence and harassment at work
• Safe, accessible, and affordable housing
• Equitable health care, including mental, sexual, and reproductive health, universal pharma care, and paid sick leave for all

3. Prioritize the right of people marginalized because of their gender to live free from violence by implementing a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, and the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S National Inquiry Report.

Where do you stand on these election priorities?

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
[your name will go here]
[your email address will go here] [your location will go here]

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