A snap election has been called in Ontario! For land trusts and other conservation organizations, this is an opportunity to bring our work into the political conversation.
Land trusts are key to preserving land, ensuring clean water, and protecting biodiversity! These are values that resonate no matter which political party one belongs to.
This election is an opportunity to talk with your friends, family, and colleagues about the role of nature and the power of land trusts. It can also be an opportunity to talk with your local candidates.
You can usually find candidate information on the parties’ websites. A list of MPPs from the last parliament and their contact information is also available on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s website. Many of them might be running as incumbents. If your capacity is limited, focusing on connecting with incumbents is a good place to start.
Tips for connecting with candidates:
- Focus on thanking them for the work they’ve been doing.
- Take the opportunity to introduce the work of land trusts, and your land trust in particular.
- Focus on supporting the continuation and growth of existing programs that work, like the Greenland Conservation Partnership. Since 2020, the Greenlands Conservation Partnership has supported land trusts to protect over 400,000 acres (166,000 hectares) of land, and preserve habitat for 108 species at risk, across the province.
- Call, send letters or set up meetings (we can provide templates or assist with these). This can be a starting connection that is not limited to the election cycle.
- Build relationships and connections. Remember, it takes time to build trust. Find common ground – clean water and access to nature are values that we share!
Together, we can help bring nature into focus this election season!
More Resources:
Read more from the Ontario Not-For-Profit Network on how to approach this snap election here.
Listen to Charity Village’s podcast Navigating the Stormy Waters of Political Uncertainty here.
