CARP Chapters are playing a key role in the federal election. During this short election campaign they have demonstrated the potential of our networks and partnerships! On April 13th 2011, CARP National held a debate that was webcast and televised across the country. During the following couple of weeks several chapters held their own events and raised CARP advocacy priorities with their local candidates.

With the National office team keeping in touch with the major media outlets, the chapters facilitate a powerful communication from constituent to elected official or candidate. More local representation for our issues means a much more powerful message is sent to your members of parliament. It also makes politicians aware that they will be held accountable for their actions by their local constituents. It’s enough to make almost anybody behave (even a politician)!

Here’s what some of our chapters have been up to in this election campaign: Congratulations to the Belleville/Brighton/Quincy West, Edmonton, Whiterock/Surrey, Ajax/Pickering and Windsor Chapters.

White Rock/Surrey Chapter Candidate Outreach

Since several debates had already been organized in White Rock/Surrey, the MP and some of the candidates were fairly booked up. Regardless of this, April Lewis’ (the chapter’s Communications and Publicity Director) tenacity paid off; she chased down all the candidates and issued the CARP questionnaire. Five out of the nine contenders responded and some of their answers are very interesting! To read what they had to say, please click here

Keywords: election, event