These Waterloo region groups aim to help inform you about municipal election candidates

As people research their options for who to vote for in this month's municipal election, some local groups are trying to help answer questions people may have on specific issues.

Cameron Dearlove, executive director of Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services (formerly Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge and North Dumfries), said the organization decided to send surveys to candidates in the city to "ensure that important questions are being asked of candidates about the accessibility and availability of social supports."

He noted over the past few years, people in the city and township have struggled with a number of issues such as housing, mental health, finances, food security, gender-based violence and addictions.

"At the same time, our organizations are seeing far greater need for our services, while struggling with sustainable funding to meet the community needs. This is why we need to have these conversations," Dearlove said.

He said they focused on having "informed questions" to make the candidates think about the issues the centre faces while also giving voters "clear answers."

"Social and community supports have become some of the most important issues in elections, whether municipal, provincial, or federal, because everyone across the community is worried about these issues, and all levels of government have a role to play," he said.

• Link to the Family Counselling Centre of Cambridge and North Dumfries municipal election survey

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, which had its regional funding cut at the end of March of this year, issued surveys to candidates on Sept. 2 and has been posting responses to its website.

There were six questions including asking candidates about what the common root causes of social problems are locally and what they'll do to address them and what voices within the community will candidates use to guide their priorities.

• Link to the Crime Prevention Council election candidates survey

Citizens for Safe Ground Water, a non-profit in Wilmot Township, wants to protect the community's groundwater from activity from the aggregate industry.

The group provided surveys to candidates in the township asking about local issues, including their thoughts on the Hallman pit application and whether the candidates support a moratorium for all new applications for gravel pits and quarries in the province.

The group released a graphic on its Twitter feed that shows how the candidates who took the survey responded:

Spectrum, Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space, worked with the OK2BME team at K-W Counselling Services to develop a survey that looks at LGBTQ issues in the region.

Surveys were sent out to candidates on Sept. 21 via email, and the group also posted about the survey on social media to reach candidates for whom they didn't have contact information.

Scott Williams, executive director of Spectrum, says they did the surveys because they believe it's important for voters to understand where candidates stand on these issues.

"Municipal governments and school trustees are responsible for making decisions that impact most of us on a daily basis," Williams said.

"If voters are interested in living in an inclusive community where 2SLGBTQIA+ people are celebrated and able to live safely as their authentic selves then they should take these issues into account when voting," Williams added. "Voting for candidates who explicitly support 2SLGBTQIA+ people is part of allyship."

Questions included asking candidates for their most critical issues for the local LGBTQ community, whether they've taken LGBTQ cultural competency training and whether the candidates agree with the statement "trans rights are human rights and must be protected as such."

• Link to Spectrum and OK2BME questionnaire

Volunteers with Cycle WR are taking municipal candidates for bike rides. It's an opportunity for the volunteers "to show off the best and worst of the cycling infrastructure in their ward/city/region," the group says on its website.

After the ride, the volunteer writes up a summary of how it went.

• Link to the Cycle WR website

Volunteers with a Facebook group called Save Middlebrook Bridge asked candidates in Woolwich Township and Centre Wellington to talk about the historic bridge, which is co-owned by the two municipalities, and their thoughts on it being saved and rehabilitated for active transportation.

The responses can be found on the group's Facebook page.

• Link to the Save Middlebrook Bridge Facebook page

The group 50 by 2030 Waterloo Region, which is pushing for climate action in the region, asked three questions in their survey to candidates. The group also asked candidates to create videos to explain what they'd do to advocate for climate change in the community.

The group has provided the full answers from the 77 candidates that responded on its website.

• Link to the 50 by 2030 WR election website

Grand River Environmental Network asked candidates about their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, whether they support a 15-minute city where everything can be accessed by foot or bike and how they'll create a liveable future.

• Link to the Grand River Environmental Network election website

For A Better Waterloo Region is a group of local advocates who say they want to "build a community that focuses on including the most vulnerable among us," the group's website says.

The group asked candidates about several issues including: Housing, public safety and upstream investments, Indigenous sovereignty, social services and transportation.

• Link to the For A Better Waterloo Region election website.

The Architectural Conservancy Ontario North Waterloo Region asked all the candidates specifically about heritage issues because the group encourages the conservation and re-use of structures, districts and landscapes of architectural, historical and cultural significance through education and advocacy.

• Link to the ACO's candidate responses.

CivicTechWR has created Waterloo Region Votes, a website to help inform residents. The website lists candidate names, social media accounts, email addresses and links to local media coverage of various races around the region.

• Link to Waterloo Region Votes

Did we miss a candidate survey by a local group? Email us to let us know.