With days left before British Columbians elect a new government on October 24, Archbishop Smith encouraged all eligible Catholics to go and vote in the upcoming election.

In a message to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, Archbishop Smith emphasized the importance of voting, saying that it is “one way we can take responsibility for the life of our community and help shape the future of [the] province.”

“The decisions made by our provincial government affect our families, our communities, and especially those who are most vulnerable,” Archbishop Smith said. “They touch many parts of our daily lives, including health care, education, housing, and public safety.”

In light of these issues that the province oversees, Catholic Conscience has published a guide to help navigate various party platforms. Catholic Conscience is a non-partisan civic engagement organization, focused on civic evangelization through Catholic social teaching. The aim of their resources is to form citizens in the full breadth of our faith’s social vision, and thereby forming our Catholic community into a diverse, influential, inclusive, and gently persuasive family of voices in civic life.

In an op-ed for The Catholic Register, Catholic Conscience Executive Director Matthew Marquardt reminds all Catholics that, amid many pressing issues of public concern, “Catholic social teaching can cast light.”

“It is time for us to engage in an informed and prayerful manner,” Marquardt wrote. “Study Catholic social teaching. Inform yourself about current events. Pray constantly. And vote responsibly, with truth and the good of all in mind.”

How to vote and resources:

For the October 24 B.C. election, advance voting runs through October 21. On Final Voting Day, polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.

  • Elections BC: The Where to Vote tool finds your voting place by address. The official candidate list identifies candidates in each riding. There are 355 candidates in total.
  • VoteMate: Its provincial election guide lets you select your riding to see its candidates and, where available, their profiles. It also offers a party-platform comparison. VoteMate describes itself as non-partisan.
  • Leaders’ debate: The televised debate was held Oct. 14, with David Eby, Lorne Doerkson, and Emily Lowan. CPAC has the debate and CityNews has coverage.

 

With files from Canadian Catholic News