Oh boy! Here we go!

On September 7th, 2021 something called the Pan-Canadian Disability Coalition put on a federal leaders debate (on and for disability and Canadians living with one like blindness). This hadn’t existed before and though twenty-two percent of Canadians with a disability, we rarely hear our specific issues mentioned by politicians, on or off the campaign trail.

It’s one week to the next federal election here in Canada and today on Outlook we’re speaking with new friend Owen Parkin, a Lakehead University student living in Thunder Bay, who was born with Norrie Disease and went to W. Ross Macdonald School in Brantford, now studying political science, with hopes of going to law school and running for office one day.

With this first-time guest’s first time on the show, we appreciate the energy of the younger generations like Owen’s, as we as Canadians, of all ages, try to figure out how to bridge gaps, what’s best, and that’s not easy, to sift through party platforms and find the things that most matter to each of us. To push back against the understandable cynicism of a bunch of campaign promises and slow government progress, along with external events in the broader world. From international to here at home, Owen wasn’t even born when 9/11 happened, but we start the show talking about that sad anniversary, the mess the west has left in Afghanistan, and the frantic energy of back-to-school and an election.

Owen shares with us what it meant to vote for the first time, walks us through some of the things each party has in their platform (Liberals/Conservative/NDP/Greens/PPC), the difference between the options of universal basic income/guaranteed livable income/and a proposed Canada Disability Benefit, and the roles and responsibilities of making voting accessible for all Canadians (UNCRPD, Article 29), specifically voters who are blind.

Who’s responsible for holding Elections Canada’s feet to the fire on making voting something we can all do without barriers or interference? Is the CNIB really doing enough for us in this area, if they are supposed to be who speaks for and takes care of us blind Canadians? When really, at least according to the three of us on this episode, we don’t feel represented by them in 2021 and would rather speak for ourselves.

Along with Owen, we discuss what the parties are willing to do for Canadians with disabilities, but it’s more than that because our issues are your issues, as anyone can find themselves living with a disability at any point. Also, those of us with disabilities don’t only care about the things directly relating to disability, but also things like climate change and affordable housing for everyone, things that if Canada does well, should lift us all up.

It’s all connected, everything is political, which isn’t easy for many of us to admit, but Owen is going to school for this stuff, loves a good back-and-forth debate and election seasons in general, and is here to walk and talk us novices through platforms, as we recorded this just hours before last week’s English leaders debate.

So check us out to hear from the enthusiastic former W Ross student Brian met when speaking to a class about audio engineering. And, for all Canadians, remember to vote on September 20th, 2021, to make your voice heard, with the understanding of the power and the freedom that comes along with the right to vote.