Flag on my Backpack

From Lois Corbett, National Campaign Manager, Green Party of Canada.

The one bright spot from the leaders’ debates was the protest organized by our youth wing, the Young Greens. They refused to be silenced—and they dominated the front page of one Ottawa newspaper.

When I saw their picture on the cover, I felt my spirits begin to rise.

Because our young people are—quite literally—our future. And, wise beyond their years, they overwhelmingly support the Green Party.

One poll even put us “close to the range of a majority government” if voting were limited to Canadians age 18-25.

Problem is, as we all know, that youth are far less likely to vote than old fogies like me. They’re even more disgusted and disillusioned than the rest of us, and they face logistical challenges with things like voter registration and proper identification.

That’s why our Young Greens have come up with an innovative strategy to engage their peers and get them to the polls. It’s a multi-channel approach involving social media, flash mobs, great videos, and our new iPhone app.

Total cost to mobilize young voters? $33,000.

I’m asking you to donate your age to help fund this great initiative by youth, for youth. Between us, I’m sure we have more than enough years to reach our goal. I’m kicking it off with $48.

If you can make a larger donation—and are better at math than I am—why not multiply your age by the number of federal elections you’ve voted in?

I think you’ll agree it’s worth every penny to increase the participation of young Canadians in our democracy.

It’s time.

For the federal election candidates in Blackstrap, there is no messenger more powerful than you.

That’s why we have launched WE’RE VOTING CBC!, a campaign to put your support for public broadcasting on display during the election.

I am writing to invite you to get involved.

For the CBC, this election is crucial. Successive Conservative and Liberal governments have slashed CBC funding. Every year for the past three years, CBC’s grant has been cut by the government of Stephen Harper, despite false assertions to the contrary.

And as you know, in the past few months, we have seen evidence of a worrying level of hostility displayed by the current government toward our public broadcaster.

With a strong WE’RE VOTING CBC! campaign, the candidates for all the parties will understand that local voters want their next MP to support the CBC, not tear it down.

Here’s how you can put your support for public broadcasting on display during the election:

1. Download and print a WE’RE VOTING CBC! campaign sign

They come in 2 sizes – 8.5x11 inches, and 17x 11 inches - for your window or your lawn. There’s also a postcard size you can keep handy at your door to give to candidates or canvassers when they come calling. Click here to download.

2 Attend an all candidates meeting in your riding and ask this question about the CBC:

“The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage has recommended that CBC’s annual parliamentary grant be raised from $33 per Canadian to $40. Before I decide how I will vote, I would like to know if the candidates support this recommendation.”

3. Vote

Please consider voting for the candidate you think will be most supportive of public broadcasting in Parliament. Advance polls are open from noon to 8 pm on Friday, April 22, Saturday, April 23 and Monday, April 25. You can view the party promises concerning the CBC here. For more information about the advance polls go here.

4. Share this campaign with your friends and family

Click here to share the campaign by email, Facebook and Twitter.

5. Donate

FRIENDS is conducting a focused non-partisan campaign in 45 tight ridings including 20 where an intense on-the-ground effort to showcase local support for the CBC is underway. These are ridings where the outcome could make the difference in which party forms the next government. Your contribution will help finance this special effort.

As I write this note, the federal election is well underway and Stephen Harper maintains a substantial lead over his nearest rivals, raising the very real possibility of a majority Conservative government being elected on May 2nd.

Rarely has our public broadcaster faced such intense hostility from a Prime Minister. The only force that has stopped Stephen Harper from decimating the CBC has been public opinion - which the Conservatives know they cannot afford to ignore.

It is urgent that we work together to send a powerful message to Stephen Harper that attacking public broadcasting is a loser issue and just not on with a huge majority of Canadians!

For Canada’s sake, please get involved in the WE’RE VOTING CBC! campaign in Blackstrap.