During this past election campaign, Canadians were eager to put poverty on the agenda. World Vision supporters in the thousands acted to inform themselves and address global poverty.

World Vision Canada’s Election08 web pages were viewed more than 22,000 times, with readers learning about the positions of the five federal parties on foreign aid and child mortality.

On Facebook, more than 1,800 members made a statement by joining the World Vision Election08 group. A community of passionate followers generated lots of discussion and actions.

This really shouldn’t be that surprising. An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in September revealed that poverty was one of the top five issues of concern for Canadians in this election. According to a Toronto Star editorial on October 6: “Poverty is no longer a low-priority issue. Canadians now rank it fourth on their list of election concerns.”

World Vision Still Pushing
World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen has now sent a letter to each new Member of Parliament (MP) asking what they will do to increase Canada’s foreign aid and help to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals (MGDs). You can read a copy of Toycen’s letter on our site.

You can also read each parties’ plans to address global poverty and child mortality.

What You Can Do 
With the forming of a new government, you have an opportunity to encourage your MP to press for the fulfillment of Canada’s commitment to increase foreign-aid contributions and to develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy on AIDS abroad. 

Send a message to your new MP congratulating them and encouraging them to act on foreign aid and a strategy on AIDS.

Learn more about World Vision’s ongoing efforts to seek justice and how you can take action.