[fvc-wat-disc] Fwd: Elections Ontario Press Release on the Referendum

[Brian Tanguay]

FYI ...

>>> Jonathan Rose <jonathan.rose at queensu.ca> 8/3/2007 9:38 AM >>>
Elections Ontario Launches
Referendum Public Education Campaign-“Understand the Question”

Province-wide communications program to ensure 8.5 million Ontario  
voters are prepared to make an informed decision on October 10, 2007

TORONTO, Aug 1, 2007: In preparation for Ontario’s October 10, 2007  
referendum on electoral reform, Elections Ontario launched the first  
phase of its referendum public education campaign today. The  
“Understand the Question” campaign is designed to ensure that  
Ontario’s 8.5 million registered voters are aware that the referendum  
is taking place and feel adequately informed to make a decision when  
it comes time to mark their referendum ballots this Fall.

At the same time as the general provincial election on October 10,  
Ontario voters will also receive a referendum ballot to choose  
whether to continue the current electoral system, known as First-Past- 
the-Post (FPTP), or adopt the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP)  
electoral system proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly. This marks the  
first time since 1792 that electors are being asked to consider a  
change to the way that Ontario’s provincial representatives are elected.

“Our mandate is to ensure that Ontario voters are not only aware that  
a referendum is occurring on October 10, but believe they are  
adequately prepared to make an informed decision based on their  
individual considerations and priorities,” said John Hollins, Chief  
Electoral Officer, Elections Ontario.

“Through our past experience and ongoing consultation with political  
science and literacy experts, we have designed a program that we  
believe reflects Ontario’s scope and diversity, delivers impartial  
educational information and allows voters to become informed through  
a variety of mediums,” continued Hollins. “It also allows us the  
flexibility to make adjustments based on voter questions as we move  
forward towards the actual referendum date.”

“Understand the Question” Campaign Elements

· The Elections Ontario referendum public education website,  
www.yourbigdecision.ca launching today, provides voters with  
impartial tools to define and understand both the First-Past-the-Post  
and the Mixed Member Proportional electoral systems and to assess  
these systems against individual voter priorities and considerations.  
Voters may also register their email addresses for information  
updates as website content will be continually enriched.

· A public toll free information telephone line, 1-888-ONTVOTE  
(1-888-668-8683), is available beginning today to assist voters with  
their questions.

· A Facebook profile and group launches today to increase referendum  
awareness and provide another channel for voters to make information  
inquiries though the email address info at yourbigdecision.ca.

· A community-level French and English media relations program is  
underway to distribute impartial information defining both electoral  
systems, critieria for making a choice against individual voter  
priorities and identifying other “Understand the Question”  
information sources.

· A province-wide French and English newspaper advertising campaign  
and a further community and ethnic newspaper campaign in 25 languages  
will appear beginning the first week of September.

· A province-wide “Understand the Question” French and English radio  
campaign launches today and will run until August 13, 2007.

· Over 100 Resource Officers are being hired to deliver local  
community information sessions throughout the province. To request an  
information session voters may do so through www.yourbigdecision.ca,  
1-888-ONT VOTE (1-888-668-8683) or info at yourbigdecision.ca.

· An online advertising program will begin in early September  
targeting high traffic Ontario portals of Canadian websites to  
encourage voters to visit www.yourbigdecision.ca for information.

· A Youtube information site and a downloadable widget (an online  
viral web tool) will be available later in August to raise awareness  
and direct voters to “Understand the Question” information resources.

· A province-wide “Understand the Question” French and English  
television campaign will launch in September, 2007.

· A French and English direct mail information program will be  
distributed in September, 2007 to all Ontario voters.

· Householders (unaddressed ad-mail) will be distributed to homes  
across the province immediately after Labour Day and again in the  
beginning of October.

About the Referendum
In June 2005, the Ontario Legislature began a process to review  
electoral systems. In March 2006, the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral  
Reform, an independent body representing in the electors in Ontario,  
was created. They were asked to assess Ontario’s current electoral  
system and different electoral systems, and recommend whether Ontario  
should retain its current system or adopt a different one. The  
Citizens’ Assembly’s proposal has resulted in this Referendum.

About Elections Ontario
Elections Ontario is the non-partisan agency responsible for  
administering provincial elections, by-elections and referendums in  
the Province of Ontario

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Contact Information
Elynn Wareham
GCI Group for Elections Ontario
416-486-5910 ewareham at gcigroup.com 

Matt Roth
GCI Group for Elections Ontario
416-486-5911 mroth at gcigroup.com