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Daunting environmental challenges impact every facet of our lives and those of generations to come. Elections are decisive moments for how we can address both the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. Here are some important steps to make your environmental values heard at the ballot box.
1. Learn about your candidates
Learning about the candidates in your riding and their interests is an important first step to making an informed voting choice.
Visit the websites of the political parties and your candidates to determine whether their vision and values line up with yours on the issues that matter to you.
For example, what are their focus areas? What are their positions on environmental issues? What is their political background?
Write to your candidates
Contact them via social media or email them to ask them about issues that matter to you.
Go meet your candidates
Attending public debates is an easy way to meet your candidates and ask them questions. You can also visit their office or contact them to request a meeting.
2. Vote for candidates who care about the environment
Solutions to today’s environmental challenges are within reach and can be implemented by our governments. We must remind the political parties that if they want to represent us, they must heed the growing consensus and put the environment at the very top of their priorities.
The more numerous we are to make our voices heard, the more the political parties will understand that the environment is a key election issue.
3. Encourage those around you to vote
Discussing environmental issues with your family and friends can help raise awareness and spark reflection. It could influence the choices they make on election day.
Have conversation about environmental issues with the people around you
When you talk to your family and friends about election campaigns and the issues that concern you, it provides an opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives, and can give everyone a better understanding of climate challenges.
Why not organize some activities to discuss environmental issues in the run-up to elections? For example, you could host a movie night or, better yet, have people over to watch the leaders’ debate (don’t forget the popcorn!). For a movie night, here are a couple of suggestions that will definitely get the conversation going:
- The documentary Demain
- The movie Don’t Look Up
4. Find out how, when and where to vote
Inform yourself early about the voting details for every election. Don’t wait until election day to look into it!
- Make sure you’re on the voting list
You must be registered on the voters list at your home address to be able to vote. If you’ve moved recently, don’t forget to notify the officials of your change of address:
For the federal elections
For the provincial elections
- Find out where and when to vote. If you are unable to vote at your polling station, find out ahead of time about voting by mail.
With these four simple steps, you can contribute to putting the environment front and centre in Quebec politics.
Calling for a leader's debate on the climate crisis
Vire au vert
