We spend a great deal of time during our year advocating for the Canadian government to act on behalf of those who are victims of genocide. Through calling 1-800-Genocide, holding countless awareness events at university campuses and high schools across the country, and joining the STAND for the Dead campaign, we raise our voices daily to ensure that genocide prevention becomes a Canadian foreign policy priority. This week, however, we have the chance to ensure that the individuals that we elect into Parliament are on our side.

During the course of this federal election, through our Speak The Name campaign, STAND has reached out to every candidate across the country and asked for their support on any of our foreign policy recommendations. The response has been great across all parties, with many candidates voicing their support for all four.

As you examine the issues and get ready to vote on Monday, I invite you to remember your voice as an activist for Darfur and anti-genocide advocacy.

Let your candidates know that you consider this to be a key election issue. Here’s how:

• Review the current party platforms on Darfur.

• Check our current list of supporters to see if your riding is represented yet. Email your candidates to ask them to join the Speak the Name campaign if they haven’t already.

• Send an email to our party leaders asking them to support one of our key policy recommendations.

Above all, please vote on Monday to ensure that those who support the issues that matter to you are represented in government. It is only when we vote for our representatives that we can truly hold them accountable.

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Elham Bidgoli is Principal Director of STAND Canada.