The Ontario election is quickly approaching and candidates are pounding the pavement asking for your vote. But what are you going to ask them? From affordable housing investment to creating good jobs, the provincial government makes decisions that have serious implications for the health and well-being of Ontarians. As you head to the ballot box on October 6th, choose a candidate that will make the health and well-being of you, your family, and your community a priority. The Wellesley Institute wants to help you better understand some of the top issues in this election. Ask local candidates where they stand on policy issues that affect your health and well-being.
Here are some guides we’ve prepared to highlight some of the issues we feel need be addressed, and some of the questions we feel are important to ask during this election campaign.
Housing and Health: Election 2011
A growing body of evidence draws the links between poor housing and poor health. Investing in new homes is more cost-effective than spending on shelters, medical services, policing and jails. A commitment from the government to invest in affordable housing will improve the health and well-being of Ontarians, and won’t cost extra money.
Work and Health: Election 2011
Our job can help to keep us healthy or can make us sick, whether it’s hazards in the workplace, how much stress we are under, or how much money we earn. A wealth of international data makes the link between jobs, income, health and well-being.
Health and Health Equity: Election 2011
Everybody is concerned about health, but a good health care system is about far more than wait times and high-profile diseases. When we talk about the kind of health care system we want we have to think about how we can best help people to stay healthy and the conditions and supports that promote health.
Non-Profit Sector and Health: Election 2011
New research from the Wellesley Institute shows that in addition to having social and economic benefits, a strong and vibrant non-profit sector is critical to individual health. People with lower incomes, education or other resources have lower life expectancies, higher rates of chronic disease and poorer overall health.
We’re not the only ones talking about health and health promotion. A number of other organizations have also put together tools and resources to address key election issues in this area and we are compiling them here for your convenience.