More on the Tenants Vote Campaign
ACORN was one of our presenters for #voteTOin416 (see their presentation here).
Thursday, August 12th ACORN is holding an event as part of their tenants vote campaign. See their press release below:
PRESS RELEASE
ACORN
Tenants Vote 2010
Low-income residents are taking action to get out the tenant vote in target wards
WHAT: ACORN Rally and Press Conference with Mayoral and Council Candidates
WHEN: Thursday, August 12, 2010 : 5:30PM
WHERE: Wellesley Community Centre, 495 Sherbourne St.
ACORN members and tenants from across the city will be gathering in St. Jamestown to hold a rally to get out the tenant vote for the upcoming municipal election. Low voter turnout from rental apartment buildings has been an ongoing problem in elections at all levels of government, meaning that tenants issues often get overlooked by elected politicians.
ACORN is determined to make tenants rights an election issue this fall by increasing the tenant vote in support of candidates who support tenant concerns. MAYORAL CANDIDATES CONFIRMED TO APPEAR: Rossi, Smitherman, Thomson, Ford, (Pantalone most likely)
Several mayoral and councillor candidates will be attending the rally to show their support or share their views on specific tenant issues.
“Over half the city rents which means tenants have an incredible amount of power to influence the election”
says ACORN member Marva Burnett,
“we are sick and tired of being ignored by politicians because we are low-income tenants. We have a voice, and it is going to be a loud voice in October”
ACORN members will present their tenant platform at the event and give mayoral candidates an opportunity to address the issues. Following the press conference, the members will knock on doors in St. Jamestown gathering voter signatures on a petition; the petition declares support for candidates who will stand up for tenant issues if elected.
ACORN member Natalie Hundt states:
“We are giving away any power we have to make a positive change for low income tenants if we don’t stand up and vote for people who care about our issues. One door at a time we will make it happen this time”
For more information, please contact Tatiana Jaunzems at (416) 450-0341
ACORN (The Association of Community Organization for Reform Now) is a community organization with over 15,000 members in 11 chapters across Toronto. For 6 years ACORN has been fighting on issues that concern low to moderate income people in Canada, including the right to livable housing.










