Advocate for Multicultural Values with Election Candidates
Advocate for Multicultural Values with Election Candidates
In October 2024, Saskatchewan will vote in provincial elections. All resident citizens are able to vote for the MLA in their riding.
In November 2024, elections for municipal governments (mayors, councilors, reeves, school board trustees) will take place.
MCoS’ vision is “Multiculturalism is central to the cultural, economic, social and political life of Saskatchewan”. We advocate for decision-makers and potential decision-makers at all levels of government to consider the multicultural values in their platforms and choices if elected.
We encourage you to use your voice to engage with candidates in your areas. We have provided questions below based in the multicultural values to start conversations.
RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
The Saskatchewan Growth Plan includes diversity and belonging as important contributions to quality of life. Welcoming and inclusive communities foster belonging and embrace opportunities for all residents to fully live their cultures. Rural and urban municipalities demonstrate interest in valuing all residents for their contributions, and offer appropriately accessible services. This enhances retention of newcomers in the province, as well as opportunities for truth & reconciliation, and First Nations and Métis cultural revitalization.
Provincial & Municipal: How will your government support ethnocultural communities, multicultural organizations, and Indigenous Peoples for cultural continuity and celebrations of diversity?
RECOGNITION AND REJECTION OF RACISM
MCoS recognizes the negative impact of racism and discrimination. We promote the importance of all people in overcoming these issues to achieve equitable outcomes for all Saskatchewan residents. Anti-racism work looks at issues of power and privilege and how they impact individual and systemic discrimination; it usually includes active dialogue to build equity and justice in our institutions and communities.
Provincial: How will you measure and report to the public the value of the impacts to address racism and oppression in all aspects of the justice, health, education, social services, and other systems through a lens that recognizes racism and ongoing colonial harms?
Municipal – How will you measure and report to the public the value of the impacts to address racism and oppression in all aspects of policing, recreational participation, libraries, by-law enforcement, fire, public transit, zoning, and education (for school trustee candidates)?
INTERCULTURAL CONNECTIONS
We actively support and encourage efforts to bring communities together in ways that will build relationships based on understanding and respect to foster capacity for problem solving and planning. Relationships are essential for leadership in work toward equity. MCoS’ current strategic plan is centered on an overarching objective to deepen kinship with Indigenous Peoples and communities. We have a further objective to expand and deepen relationships with new and existing stakeholders to enhance the impact of MCoS mission, vision, and values.
Provincial & Municipal: How will you commit to fostering and nurturing equitable partnerships? How will you report to the public about your actions and results in relationships and outcomes?
INTEGRATION
We support welcoming and inclusive communities that create a sense of home and belonging. We recognize the creativity and innovation that arise from bringing different cultural perspectives together and cultivating the unique contributions of all.
The greater diversity we have among our elected officials, the better decisions are made for all members of our communities, making them more welcoming and inclusive.
Provincial & Municipal: What engagement processes are you using and will commit to in order to involve people who are often marginalized in decision making? What are you going to do to ensure those voices are heard and involved in decisions that impact their lives?
