Elections Canada is urging Canadians to vote in the federal election on May 2, 2011, in order to “shape your world.” Elections are also an occasion for Christians to consider the political implications of their faith, reflecting on the opportunity they have to shape a world that includes many others.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada believes that governments should maintain a just and peaceful social order, and that Christians individually, and churches corporately, have a responsibility to help governments be faithful to this calling. This is why MCC speaks to the federal government, responding to requests from the people we work with in Canada and abroad in order to advance justice and peace through governmental action.
At times the priorities of the people we serve align with those of the Government of Canada, and additional funding for MCC’s work at home and abroad can be secured through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other government departments. And at times the priorities of the people we serve differ from, or are inhibited by, those of the Government of Canada. Thus there are times when MCC seeks to provide constructive criticism to a government minister. In both cases—where MCC’s and the government’s priorities match, and where they differ—we also seek to inform and involve our church community. It is in the spirit of this ongoing work that we have prepared this election resource.
As in past elections, this resource is structured around a few key questions that can be raised with candidates in your electoral riding in order to reframe typical campaign debates.
In addition to sharing these questions with candidates, we invite you to use this resource to guide Sunday school class or small group discussions, and to share it with family members, friends, and colleagues. We also invite you to pray for wisdom—for candidates as they campaign, for yourself as you prepare to vote, and for those who will be chosen to provide leadership for our country.
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