8,000 potential voters may be denied a vote in October.
Good Governance Stratford has learned that Stratford City Council, awarded the 2021 Code of Silence Award for “outstanding achievement in government secrecy”1, has refused to take measures that would ensure all 8,000 renters in Stratford will have access to the vote.
Appeals to council members to take action have failed. Appeals to city staff to take action have failed. Appeals to the Province through the MPP have failed.
Please follow the directions given below to make sure you can vote. The letter is a copy of the one sent by the city in early June to property owners in Stratford. Alternatively, before September 1, you can use MPAC’s website directly (www.voterlookup.ca) or phone them at 1-866- 296-6722, to ensure you are on the voters’ list.
The only way people will be able to vote in this election is by phone or online. In order to vote, the city must issue you a PIN number in the mail. There will be NO polling stations.
Who are we? We are a group of Stratford citizens committed to the principles of participatory democracy – transparency, full accountability, and a commitment to draw public opinion into the council decision-making process. That’s why we want you to vote.
Our approach stands in contrast to
- the secret meetings that informed council’s decision-making on the glass plant;
- council’s indifference to the strong neighbourhood sentiment – both property owners and those renting – opposing the Chancery development on Ontario St between Queen and Trow;
- council’s disregard for business owners’ concerns with the 4% tourism tax council imposed. Please contact us if you have questions. We’re here to help. We want you to have your say in choosing the next city council.
Contact us through the form below. By phone: 226-766-9998Thank you for taking the time to read this.
We are appealing to you – the renters of Stratford – to take action of your own to protect your right to vote.
1 Centre for Free Expression. (2022, February 15). Stratford City Council selected as 2021’s ‘most secretive’ municipal body. https://cfe.ryerson.ca/news/stratford-city-council-selected-2021%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98most-secretive%E2%80%99- municipal-body
Again, Stratford chooses to limit access, create barriers to democracy, favouring those who are familiar with and have access to technology. Not unlike, the refusal to have Council Meetings in another venue while our inaccessible City Hall waits on a 2021 Elevator shut down repair.