Volunteer

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE REFORM POSSIBLE

There are many things that you can do to urge the Ontario Government to pass the necessary reforms so that we have an open and transparent system of elections in the province.

Write to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing asking that Ontario’s election laws be amended. You will find a form letter here (link to letter below) that you can copy or adapt.

Write to your own councillor asking them to support the reforms and to reject corporate and union donations if the reforms are not passed by the next election.

Write to your local newspaper demanding reforms. Feel free to use any information on this website for your letters.

HELPING VOTETORONTO

Managing the huge data set that you find on this site is a formidable task. A small group has done this work on a volunteer basis but we need help. If you have some time to spare and are interested in this grassroots project to promote democracy contact us at info@votetoronto.ca

We are looking for volunteers to assemble the data of campaign funding in other Ontario communities. By law information on all election donations above $100 is available to the public, but sometimes it is difficult to access. If you want to take on this task in your community get in touch with us. We have the experts who can help and direct you. We will even set up a special page on the VoteToronto website where you can publish your findings.

The VoteToronto group is keen to expand our work beyond an analysis of campaign donations by following the votes in council. In that way we can begin to see the relationship between campaign donations and voting behaviour of councillors. We have started to do this in the City of Toronto but this work needs to be expanded. We also would like to follow council votes in other communities.

All new developments need the approval of the municipal council. Volunteers are needed to track the process of these applications so that we can have a better understanding of how approvals are given.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN ONTARIO.

info@votetoronto.ca

The Honourable Jim Watson
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2E5

email: mininfo.mah@ontario.ca

Dear Minister:

I have been following the activities of my municipal council, and the councillors who have been elected to run it, and I have become concerned about the election financing law governing municipalities in Ontario.

VoteToronto has done a detailed analysis of campaign election practices and recommends seventeen changes to the legislation.

  1. Ban corporate and union campaign contributions.
  2. All campaign contributions must be made by electors of voting age.
  3. Financial contributors to a candidate’s campaign must reside within the municipality where the candidate is nominated.
  4. Third Party spending must be regulated. (explain Third Party)
  5. City clerk’s office must review campaign financial statements for omissions and errors
  6. The legislation must require an independent campaign finance audit committee.
  7. Carrying forward campaign surpluses must be ended.
  8. Campaign deficits must be regulated. (Robert we have to be clearer what we are recommending here.)
  9. All campaign expenses must be included as expenses.
  10. The campaign expenditure limits should not be raised.
  11. Ban the self-financing of campaigns.
  12. Require municipalities to create a contribution rebate program.
  13. Require all contributors to disclose their home address.
  14. Require the posting of campaign financial statements on municipal websites.
  15. Require campaign financial statements include the home address of contributors of more than $100.
  16. The value of paid volunteer labour must be included as a contribution from the employer.
  17. Change the Municipal Elections Act to allow the formation of parties.

Minister, I believe that it is essential that we have an open and fair system of elections or our democracy will be put at risk. Please introduce these amendments as soon as possible. The integrity of Ontario elections is at stake.

Yours sincerely,