Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 07

Accessibility sources to obtain supports and treatment. The combination of the two creates barri- ers to services and activities such as voting, especially if one is born into a poor or dis- advantaged family. When a person is born into a family of low socio-economic status, there are often barriers to basic needs. Addiction and men- tal health create barriers to obtaining these basic needs, such as a permanent residence or identification, which also happen to be necessary vote. Vulnerable populations like the homeless feel stereotyped or intim- idated in public areas where voting polls are often located. Voter participation can be easily influenced by increasing acces- sibility of polling stations and supports to obtaining necessary documentation. Those with mental health challenges have the right to vote. Every human has the right to accessible voting stations so that they can overcome barriers and their voices can be heard. There is a large population who are extremely vulnerable who need to realize they have the right to influence their own future. An obvious solution that would influence voter turnout would be to make voting accessible in highly populated shelters. A large population is right at poli- ticians’ finger tips. The question is: are poli- ticians brave enough to make voting acces- sible to everyone, from all walks of life? Moving Forward On municipal election day in the fall of 2018, I was working as a social worker at a homeless men’s shelter. I examined ac- cessible voting in a subgroup of homeless men located in downtown Toronto, who were experiencing both mental health and addictions challenges. I altered my work schedule for the day to support clients and accommodate the election. In hopes of in- homeless folks living in shelters in down- town Toronto face, but to a large extent they lack the opportunity to have a voice that could change their circumstances. The Elections Act confers to every Canadi- an the right to vote, and the charter recog- nizes the right to democratic participation. Heartstrings The Ford family states that they are the people’s people who identify with all pop- ulations. As is known to the public, mem- bers of the Ford family have struggled with addition. As the late Rob Ford commented, addiction is a disease one is born with. The Ford family has had to make peace with losing a family member and public figure, the previous major of the City of Toronto who (reportedly unrelated to his death) suffered with addiction and mental health. Middle and upper class families in Canada have a different experience with mental health and addictions as many have the re- fluencing voter turnout, I provided support by taking the time to educate individuals about voting procedures, their right to vote, and to provide brief letters of support confirming, name, date of birth, and resi- dence upon request. Therefore, the resi- dents of a highly populated shelter in To- ronto were able to vote due to an increase of access to polling stations and supports, such as being able to access the identifi- cation data base, confirmation of identity, and residence. Otherwise they would not have been allowed to vote, as they have limited resources and barriers such as mental health and addictions which inter- fere with basic privilege such as having a copy of valid identification or a permanent residence. How can an oppressed popula- tion make change in their life, if they don’t have a say in the politics that guide access to services? In short, voting supports put in place for an at-risk and vulnerable population proved to be a very simple solution to increase voter turnout and democratic participation in a highly populated area. One thing that we must give credit to the government for is locating polling stations in the lobby area of the shelter. Increased accessibility and supports for highly populated areas are simple solutions for increasing voter turnout. Democratic par- ticipation is an easy way to empower those who rarely have a voice with matters that impact them directly. With a solution as simple as this, it makes one wonder, is this an oversight or voter oppression? Julia Ann Fremeau is a humanitarian, human rights and equality advocate, and Queen’s School of Policy Studies, Professional Masters in Public Adminis- tration candidate. “It’s not just an addiction. Some people can drink, some people can casually use drugs. I have a chronic disease. I was born with blonde hair and I’m going to die with blonde hair. I was born with this disease. I’m going to die with this disease.” — Rob Ford February/March 2019 // Canadian Government Executive / 29 Toronto City Hall Council Chamber. Photo: the municipal government of the City of Toronto