Saturday, July 25, 2015

Don Rusnak, Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Thunder Bay - Rainy River


Don Rusnak, Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Thunder Bay - Rainy River



Don Rusnak is Anishinaabe and is the Liberal Party of Canada’s candidate for Thunder Bay – Rainy River in Ontario.

Background and Experience
- Don is a lawyer in Thunder Bay who has extensive experience in forestry industry, public sector and through his own private practice.
- He has been the interim Executive Director for the Grand Council of Treaty 3 which represents dozens of Anishinabe First Nations in northwestern Ontario.
- Don previously worked for Manitoba Health helping to improve healthcare delivery services for northern Manitoba communities. He worked for Alberta Justice as a Crown Prosecutor for both criminal and regulatory offences.
- He has volunteered and supported a number of organizations including Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, Canadian Cancer Society, the Dew Drop In Centre and Harbour Youth Services of Thunder Bay to name a few.
- Don studied Political Science at Lakehead University and went on to finish his legal education at the University of Manitoba and Osgoode Hall Law School. 

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Riding History
- Thunder Bay - Rainy River is northwestern Ontario that starts at Thunder Bay, straddles the U.S. border to the Lake of the Woods.
- It has a history of electing NDP and Liberal MPs, the current MP is NDP MP John Rafferty he has been the NDP’s Critic for Pensions.
- Former Chief Georjann Morriseau of the Fort William First Nation originally was a candidate but removed her name to run again for Chief, she is now a Councillor.
- The Aboriginal population of Thunder Bay – Rainy River is 10,765 or 13.4% (2011 Census) and include numbers several Anishinabe First Nations.

Candidates for Thunder Bay – Rainy River


Christy Radbourne, Green Party




Sources


Indigenous Voter's Guide for Canadian Federal Election 2015


Revised: Sept. 15, 2015

Make sure you are not caught unready, cast your vote and exercise your opinion on who the next government of Canada should be.

The Fair Elections Act has changed how voting takes place in Canada, Indigenous leaders have expressed this law will make it more difficult to vote. Our Indigenous Voter's Guide may help you overcome those barriers. 

If you are unsure or want clarity of the process, contact toll free 1-800-463-6868 or visit their website: www.elections.ca.

The official election date is Oct. 19, 2015, you may be thinking that you have plenty of time, now is the time to ensure you have what is required to cast your vote. 

Watch this quick overview "Get Ready to Vote"


VOTERS CHECK LIST
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The sooner you start this process the better. Checking if your registered, registering and ensuring you have the correct ID to vote (there are options) will help overcome challenges that could happen when you go to cast your vote.

REGISTER TO VOTE

First step is to check if you are registered at your current address by visiting www.elections.ca/register, if you are registered early you will get a Voter Information Card in the mail that tells you where and when to vote.

If you are not registered: 

-Register online www.elections.ca/register and provide your Driver's License or Provincial/Territorial ID card. 

-Register by mail using the National Registration of Electors - Registration Request Form and mail back to Elections Canada or call 1-800-463-6868 to have a form mailed to you. Your local returning office will also have them available. 

-Bring completed form to your local returning office and remember to bring acceptable proof of identity and address with you. 

-You can find your local office through the Voter Information Service.

-Registration form must received by Elections Canada by 6PM, Tuesday, Oct.13.

-Lastly you can register at your local polling station.


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HAVE YOUR ID READY (INCLUDING OPTIONS)

There are three options, for the ID you will need to vote and register. 

1) Show one of these pieces of ID
   your driver's licence
   your provincial or territorial ID card
     any other government card with your photo, name and current address

2) Show two pieces of ID
At least one must have your current address

Indigenous Specific ID Options
   Indian status card
   band membership card
   Métis card
   card issued by an Inuit local authority
With a completed Letter of Confirmation of Residence Form from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority. This can also be written on the administration's letter head. This can be proof of address along with any other of the pieces of ID in this list. 

Here is a Letter of Confirmation of Residence (word template) designed by the Assembly of First Nations that band administrators can adept to their own use for their members.

Continued list of options for secondary ID (including above)
   health card
   Canadian passport
   birth certificate
   certificate of Canadian citizenship
   citizenship card
   social insurance number card
   Canadian Forces identity card
   Veterans Affairs health card
   old age security card
   hospital card
   medical clinic card
   label on a prescription container
   identity bracelet issued by a hospital or long-term care facility
   blood donor card
   CNIB card
   credit card
   debit card
   employee card
   student identity card
   public transportation card
   library card
   liquor identity card
   parolee card
   firearms licence
   licence or card issued for fishing, trapping or hunting
   utility bill (e.g. electricity; water; telecommunications services including telephone, cable or satellite)
   bank statement
   credit union statement
   credit card statement
   personal cheque
   government statement of benefits
   government cheque or cheque stub
   pension plan statement
   residential lease or sub-lease
   mortgage contract or statement
   income tax assessment
   property tax assessment or evaluation
   vehicle ownership
   insurance certificate, policy or statement
   correspondence issued by a school, college or university
   letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
   targeted revision form from Elections Canada to residents of long-term care facilities
   letter of confirmation of residence from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority
   letter of confirmation of residence, letter of stay, admission form or statement of benefits from one of the following designated establishments:
           student residence, seniors' residence, long-term care facility
           shelter and soup kitchen

Note: Elections Canada accepts e-statements and e-invoices. Print them or show them on a mobile device.
Note: Elections Canada also accept expired ID that appears on this list


3) If your ID does not have your current address, take an oath


   Show two pieces of ID with your name and have someone who knows you attest to your address. This person must show proof of identity and address, be registered in the same polling division, and attest for only one person.


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HOW TO VOTE - FOUR OPTIONS



    CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Vote on election day – Monday, October 19

Polls are open for 12 hours.
If you're registered, you will get a voter information card by mail. It tells you when and where to vote. You should receive it by October 1.

Vote on advance voting days
There are four advance voting days. Polls are open from noon to 8:00 p.m.
   Friday, October 9
   Saturday, October 10
   Sunday, October 11
   Monday, October 12
Your voter information card tells you the address of your advance polling place.

Vote at one of 400 Elections Canada offices
If you find it more convenient, you can vote at any Elections Canada office across Canada.
Visit the office before the deadline of Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. (local time) . Offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Bring your proof of identity and address.
When you vote at an Elections Canada office, you use a special ballot voting kit – learn more.
From October 5 to 8, Elections Canada is opening offices at several campuses, youth centres and Friendship Centres to help make the voting process more accessible. Check the list of where these offices will be located.

Vote by mail
If you will be travelling outside your riding, or if you find it more convenient, you can vote by mail – apply now.
Apply as soon as possible, to allow time for your voting kit to reach you and for your marked ballot to reach Elections Canada by election day.
The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time for anyone applying online or sending their application to Elections Canada in Ottawa.

Want to vote by mail but can't apply online?
You can apply to vote by mail by visiting any Elections Canada office or mailing in an application form. Forms are available at any Elections Canada office or Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate, or by calling Elections Canada. (If you apply through a local Elections Canada office, the deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m. local time.)


When you vote by mail, you use a special ballot voting kit – learn more.


Election Canada is the final authority on what is required to vote, if you have any questions contact them at 1-800-463-6868 or visit www.elections.ca 

Elections Canada offices at select campuses, youth centres and Friendship Centres

Elections Canada is opening offices at several campuses, youth centres and Friendship Centres to help make the voting process more accessible. 
  • Visit an office to register, vote and get information.
  • Offices will be open from Monday, October 5 to Thursday, October 8.
  • Anyone can use these offices, even if they are temporarily away from their riding (for example, an eligible voter who has moved to a new city to attend university or a student from a different campus).
  • Voting will be by special ballot. Votes will count in the riding where the voter's home address is located.
  • More information about Elections Canada offices at select campuses, Friendship Centres and community centres can be found here.











Elections Canada Information - www.elections.ca 




On voting day: Have your ID ready - Three options to prove your identity and address



ID REQUIREMENTS/OPTIONS CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE




Additional Resources for Indigenous Voters




Elections Canada - Ways to Vote
If you need more information or require clarification contact Election Canada toll-free 1-800-463-6868



Thank you to Election Canadas and the thousands of workers who will help us cast our vote and exercise our franchise.
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Non-Elections Canada Information

Contact your Chief and Council


Link: Contact your Chief and Council to find out information on where the polling station will be on your First Nation.

Assembly of First Nations - Federal Election and Vote Website

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The Power of the Indigenous Vote 

How First Nation, Metis and Inuit people can influence who is the next Prime Minister of Canada and if he/she has majority or minority government.

  • IndigPoli compares Aboriginal population to Canadian citizen population as the percent of Aboriginal people in each the new 338 ridings based off of the 2011 Census NHS. Includes 38 ridings where the Aboriginal population is 10%+ or more of total population, 48 ridings where the Aboriginal population is 5%+ of total population. Then a riding-by-riding breakdown in each province of the Aboriginal population compared to Canadian citizen population.

There has been thorough dialogue amongst Indigenous people on whether First Nation, Metis and Inuit people should be participating in mainstream Canadian election. By way of this blog and our social media activities, we are of the opinion that Indigenous people should vote and run as candidates for the various parties. 

The perfect example of the power of one vote was enacted by the late Elijah Harper. As a lone MLA in the Manitoba legislature, his actions would lead to the downfall of the Meech Lake Accord. The Meech Lake Accord's proposed constitutional amendments would have seen increased powers for Quebec and the provinces with little or no acknowledgment of Indigenous rights.


Watch: Legacy of Elijah Harper



Elijah Harper is a great example of why each and every vote counts. Eric Grenier who runs  the poll aggregator and seat projection site ThreeHundredEight wrote in an article in the Globe and Mail that if there was a higher native voter turnout, we had the potential reduce the current majority government to a minority government. 

We can overcome the challenges and barriers to ensure that Indigenous people have the ability to exercise our right to vote and make that vote count.

The recent "Fair" Elections Act has made it more difficult for Indigenous people to exercise their right to vote. Particularly as it relates registration, identification and access to polling stations. Below we will provide information and resources to assist with taking the steps leading up the election and finally casting your vote.

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Please feel free to contact us if you have additional information or comments, suggestions or corrections on the information that we have provided. 

Special thanks to Tania Cameron who helped with our first voting guide.