Calgary Centre candidates unite to boost voter turnout

Some of the city's most vulnerable got a chance to meet four of their federal election candidates over dinner at the Calgary Drop-In Centre onWednesday night, as each candidate set aside their political differences to work together to increase voter turnout.

• Live Blog | Get breaking news from the campaign trail
• Voter card error in Calgary addressed by Elections Canada
• Calgary transgender activist flags election ID problem
• Calgary Drop-In Centre tests mobile polling station for election day

Green Party candidateThanaBoonlertsays he reachedoutto ConservativeJoan Crockatt, LiberalKent Hehr, and NDPJillian Rattioverconcerns of voter apathy.Hechose to hold the event atthe shelter because he says homelessness is a real issue in the riding.

"A lot of times voting is not on thetop of their priority list because they'reworried about where they are going to get their next meal or where they're going to sleep at night," said Boonlert.

The Drop-In Centre also hosted a mock election on Sept. 21 along with a voter registration boothto allowpeoplewith proper identificationto use thecentre as their place of residence.

A polling station willalso be set up at theDrop-In Centre on election day.

Apathy

Voter turnout during thelast byelection in Calgary Centre was 29.4per centandit led to a very close race between Crockatt and then-Liberal candidate Harvey Locke, with Crockattemerging as the winner.

"One of the main things that we find is that a lot of people say they don't vote because they're not well enough informed," said Crockatt. "So part of our job here is to help them be more informed."

Hehr says peopleneed to understand that on voting day, everyone's ballot is equal, from the boardroom to the homeless shelter.

"Getting more people from places like the Drop-In Centre, or new Canadians involved, or from people who are traditionally marginalized,to the ballot box,you will see a change in the trajectory of this country that looks at issues more from their perspective," said Hehr.

Favouring the Liberals?

Return on Insight pollster Bruce Cameron says the Calgary Centre riding has traditionallyhad more transient voters, such asstudents, people who are new to the area,or those who haven't voted before.

He says if the push to get more people to the polls is successful,it will end up favouringthe Liberals.

"Many of the people that I talk about, either in middle- to lower-income brackets orstudents,they willbe looking to try to defeat Joan Crockatt, or Harper," said Cameron.

"Sothey're looking for who has the best chance of doing that. And I think with Kent, because he's well known there, he stands the best chance."

He says after looking athow many people are talking about each candidate on social media, how much engagement there is, and whether the reaction ispositive or negative,he thinksHehris leading over Crockatt.

Making a difference

Colin Sanderson, who stays at the Drop-In Centre, sayshe's just happy to see some faces he's never seen before and thata friendly smile, good conversation, and time spent with potential votersreally does make a difference.

"If you only see one person here, then they'llvote for that person. Gettingeverybody here,you'll be able to see who's serious about what they're talking about," said Sanderson.

Independent Yogi Henderson is also running in Calgary Centre.

Each candidate made the following pledge to support voter turnout:

I pledge to work with my fellow candidates in the riding of Calgary Centre on the non-partisan issue of increasing voterturnout. I will engage communities and demographics, such as younger voters (18-25), the homeless, and aboriginal communities. I will attend at least one non-partisan event with my fellow candidates, to focus on voting, why it is important, and how to vote. And, in coordination with my fellow candidates, I will make an official press release announcing this pledge.