Food banks to offer election information.

Perhaps the same sort of information would be helpful if distributed to old folks' homes. I am surprised that the poor are only ten percent less likely to vote. I thought the percentage might be higher.

Food banks to offer election information

Sep 14, 2007 04:30 AM
Theresa Boyle
Staff Reporter

Low-income Ontarians will get a little something extra next time they stock up at a food bank.

In an effort to get more poor Ontarians to the ballot box Oct. 10, the Ontario Association of Food Banks and Elections Ontario have created a voter information insert to be distributed with food items.

"It's an exciting initiative because we know that low-income individuals are less likely to vote," Adam Spence, executive director of the association, told a news conference yesterday.

The non-partisan, low-income voter engagement initiative will see 150,000 inserts distributed across the province. The inserts have information about who can vote, when to vote and what identification is required.

Poor Ontarians are 10 per cent less likely to vote, he said.

"What we need to do is provide them with the information and tools. It's an opportunity for them to understand (they) can have an impact on the election," he said.

"I would think that they would vote for those candidates who spoke to their issues," he said, noting the Liberals' party platform includes a poverty reduction plan and the New Democrats are promising income supports and increase in the minimum wage.