MCoS Federal Election Forum

Date : Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Venue: Online

You are invited to register for this event by Monday, September 13, 2021, using this link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/mcos-federal-election-forum-tickets-168622373057. Please read below the questions sent to candidates. If you have any other questions, please submit them while registering. If you tried to register early, but stopped because you had to enter a question, please return. The space to enter a question is now optional. The Zoom link will be sent to all registered attendees prior to the event.

MCoS has articulated four multicultural values. We have created questions about what each party would do as a government in areas relating to them. We have asked the invited candidates to respond to these questions, and others posed by our members. We do not see this as a debate, but as a way to connect parties with the multicultural community in Saskatchewan, listen to hopes and concerns, and share plans.

Our four multicultural values are rooted in the provincial motto: From Many Peoples Strength and the treaty relationships define our province and expressed as:

Respect for diversity: We recognize the multicultural diversity of the people of Saskatchewan. We believe in the strength of supporting cultural continuity and pride in one’s cultural ancestries. We celebrate the sharing between cultures because culture is a two way street.

 Question: If your party forms the government, what policies and programs will you sustain or introduce to support the cultural continuity and celebration of diversity streams of multicultural work?

Recognition and rejection of racism: We recognize 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.

 Question: If elected, how will your government commit to implementing Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, including examining and enacting policy to dismantle colonial and racist structures and ideas? What sustainable resources will you dedicate to government and community anti-racism work?

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.

 Question: In the context of UNDRIP, the TRC and MMIWG reports, what strategies and resources will your government bring to build respectful and equal relationships between the Canadian government and Indigenous Peoples?

 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. Integration, in contrast to assimilation, is achieved when as all members of a community are reflected, are seen and see themselves as belonging, are valued for their contributions, and are able to appropriately access services.

 Question: If elected, what specific policies, programs and resources will your government dedicate to building and encouraging welcoming and inclusive communities, including the importance of diversity reflected in leadership, and channels for citizens to hold you to account?

MCoS encourages you to advocate for multiculturalism. Specifically, you can raise the awareness of candidates in your riding that issues related to multiculturalism are important to you and that you make voting decisions at least in part by considering how platforms reflect multicultural values. MCoS has outlined four multicultural values that inform our work; the Saskatchewan Multiculturalism Act (1997) and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act (1985) support them. We present these values along with questions you could consider asking during this election campaign. Please share widely.

For more information on the upcoming Federal election, here are some links:

• Elections Canada: https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx. You can find out your riding, the candidates, poll locations, and register to vote by mail by Tuesday, September 14 at 4:00 p.m. SK time.
• You can spread the word and encourage others to vote here.
• Read about the history of voting rights here.
• FAQ’s on voting can be found here.