Become an injury prevention advocate in your local provincial election
Sep
13
Written by:
13/09/2011 1:10 PM
Keeping children and youth safe where they live, play, and learn takes a multi-pronged approach that includes not only obtaining knowledge and evidence to guide outcomes but also requires a commitment to communicating them to decision makers who have the ability to change policy, standards, and legislation to make sure children and youth are safe and healthy.
That’s why Safe Kids Canada works to reduce the burden of injury by advocating at all levels of
government. We believe that governments are part of the solution. Working with governments and political officials at all levels can be a catalyst for far-reaching and positive change.
Advocacy is something that everyone can do by learning about the issues and taking the necessary steps to express their ideas or concerns to government, political officials and other stakeholders.
The coming weeks will provide Canadians the opportunity to do just that with six provincial elections taking place this fall in Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan.
A number of issues will be front and centre in the debates taking place in all provincial elections. Healthcare always draws attention and this is an ideal time for everyone to voice their opinion on the shape and direction of healthcare in their province. It is also an opportunity to emphasize the need to focus on health promotion and injury prevention for children and youth since there is much work to be done at the provincial level.
Each province faces its own unique challenges in reducing the rate of unintentional injuries in children and youth. For example, all-ages helmet legislation is still lacking in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories. Likewise, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories currently do not have booster seat legislation in place.
Safe Kids Canada has more information on these provincial issues, how you can become an advocate for child safety, and how to contact your local provincial representatives in the Advocacy section of our website.
No matter the outcome of the upcoming provincial elections, Safe Kids Canada looks forward to continuing to work with all provinces to develop policies and legislation that improve the health and safety of all children.
Don't forget! Vote in your province’s election because every vote counts.
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