Elections and Voting

The Bishops of Ontario have published documents over the years to help Catholics in their civil responsibility to be informed voters in provincial elections. "As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life," says the most recent document Your Right to be Heard, which will be included in this Sunday's Bulletin.
In the document the Bishops speak of 5 Principles by which we should be guided:


1.   Governments must support life. The human dignity of every person, from conception to natural death, must be respected.


2.   Governments must balance the rights, obligations and opportunities of various segments of society by supporting:

• Publicly-funded education, including Catholic education
• The right of workers to organize
• The right to own property, but at the same time recognizing that such a right is not absolute

3.   Governments must demonstrate a commitment to the creation of a more just society by adopting tangible measures that address and include, among other initiatives:

• A poverty reduction strategy, inclusive of child poverty
• Homelessness
• Unemployment and under-employment
• Ensuring a basic income that is sufficient for food and housing
• A health system that supports and accompanies all individuals and especially those with disabilities, the elderly, and the sick

4.   Governments must demonstrate stewardship toward the environment through policies which:

• Develop natural resources with consideration of the impact on communities and on the natural environment
• Promote efficient production of renewable energy
• Control urban pollution

5.   Governments must encourage and facilitate the involvement of its citizens (especially those directly affected), other governments and non-governmental bodies, in the process of political 
decision-making.


These are some good principles to keep in mind as we listen to candidates who come knocking on our doors...


Peace