2025 Ontario Election

Catholic Social Teaching and Citizenship

This year Ontarians will vote in two major elections. The provincial election will probably occur on February 27th and the federal election will be later in the year. It’s important to vote thoughtfully as committed Catholics and citizens.

Catholic Social Teaching about the preferential option for the poor and our need to care for the earth are two areas that we need to examine as individuals and as part of society. The social teaching called “a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable” calls us to action in our personal lives and to promote public policies to support our low-income neighbours.

Vincentians practise charity to relieve the suffering of the vulnerable. However, the incomes of people who receive social assistance, are so low that charity can never supplement their incomes sufficiently to provide health and dignity. A single person on OW receives $ 733 per month for all their needs, but the poverty line is $2448 a shortfall of $1715. A couple receives $1136 per month but the poverty line is $3048 per month leaving a shortfall of $1912. Clearly, charity is important, but alone it is not enough.

A just society provides all its citizens with the basic needs for health and dignity. It is the responsibility of our elected government to provide social programs that ensure the well-being of all citizens. A benefit of quality social programs is that they cost less than poverty which incurs much higher societal costs in health care, justice and lost productivity. Care for Creation is another social teaching that requires our urgent attention. We all know about the climate crisis and the need for us to preserve the earth for future generations. To be sure, we each have a role in making personal choices that reduce our footprint on the planet. We can plant trees and do other earth enhancing activities. However, we know that this is not enough. It is important for our governments to preserve the environment by protecting green spaces. Another aspect of caring for the earth is addressing pollution. Governments also need to support the creation of energy in nonpolluting ways. Individuals can’t do this; governments must enact legislation that preserves our earth for future generations.

When the election campaigns start, examine the party platforms. Do their plans respond to the needs of vulnerable citizens? Do their plans take a long view of the well-being of the earth? Vote according to your vision of what a healthy future for all looks like. Talk with your family and friends about issues. If you can do so, speak out to candidates about what matters to you.

https://www.thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/special-sections/legislative-guide/7-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching/

https://www.settler.ca/english/lico-table-2024-for-immigration-and-visiting-canada/

https://incomesecurity.orS/ow-and-odsp-rates-and-ocb-as-of-july-2024/