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CANADA: The Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) launched a campaign prior to the last Ontario state election to get women to vote for the parties or candidates that promised the best deal on issues most relevant to women.
The CAW noted that in Ontario women make up 51 per cent of the electorate and could, by exercising their collective vote, make a real difference in the state election.
A leaflet was produced identifying key issues for women voters, including childcare and violence against women, and setting out the responses to these issues from the major parties contesting the election. A campaign kit provided organising strategies, communication tips, issue-based fact sheets and a campaign poster.
The focus of the campaign was on encouraging CAW women members to talk to other women about issues affecting their daily lives and to use their voting power to create change. Women were urged to "comparison shop" the candidates to get the best deal for women in the election.
The CAW reports that the campaign capitalised on a huge mood for change in Ontario, and in fact there was a change of government to a more liberal party with equality issues prioritised on their agenda. The key result of the campaign for the union was that it mobilised many new women activists.
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