What 'Work the Vote' looks like in some Winnipeg organizations

For some Winnipeg employers, that 3.6 million Canadians voted in advance polls in October more than 1.5 million more than in Canada's last federal election is not enough.

Several organizations have signed upforthe Social Planning Council of Winnipeg's"Work the Vote" campaign. It encourages employers to empower those who work for them to cast a ballot by promoting conversation about the election in the workplace.

• New 'Work the Vote' campaign targets Winnipeg employers

NicoleChammartin, the executive director ofKlinicCommunity Health Centre andSERC, the Sexuality Education Resource Centre, both in Winnipeg, has brought Work the Vote to her organizations.

She said she's beendistributing information about what different political partiesare saying, particularly about issues that are important to herorganizations and employees.Long before that, however, democratic engagement was a focus at work because the people they support encounter barriers to voting,Chammartinsaid.

"When you live in poverty, you may not have updated ID. You may not have ID that matches your gender if you'retrans," she said.

Voting is good for one's well-being, and that's the message the organizations are sending with Work the Vote, she said.

"[Voting] isa way that you feel empowered by your society.... Feeling like you can be a part of change is actually an excellent way to improve your mental health," she said.

JamesMagnus-Johnstonowns Fools and Horses, a "pro-vote" coffee shop on Broadway in Winnipeg. LikeChammartin,Magnus-Johnstonsaid he is working to push his employees to vote, but there is no pressure to adopt a particular political position.

"Inviting conversation encourages a kind of debate among employees that's healthy," he said.

The shop holds a weekly morning gathering called Friday Fools whenmembers of the media, the legislature and the public gather to discuss issues of the day.

And if customers prove theyvotedby postingpictures of themselvesoutsidepolling stations on social media, they will receive a 20 per cent discount ontheir orderat the coffee shop.