Dear Friends,
Voting has been all over the news lately, with the referendum held in Alberta last Monday and the US midterm elections coming up in 10 days. The democratic process is active at this time of year! And here in Ontario, we will have the opportunity to cast our own ballots this Monday when we go to the polls for municipal elections.
Historically, we know that municipal elections typically have very low voter turnout. But I believe that responsibly participating in the electoral process can be a tangible expression of living into our baptismal covenant. When we help to elect the government, we’re making decisions that directly affect people’s lives. Municipalities play a crucial role in delivering programs that benefit children, seniors and people living on low incomes; creating housing and responding to homelessness; making decisions about land use that impact local ecosystems, farmland and economic development; managing waste; and building and maintaining the infrastructure to handle an increasingly unpredictable climate. School trustees make decisions that affect the education and shaping of our young people.
It might be tempting to think that your single vote doesn’t count, that your ballot won’t make a difference. But whole elections have been known to turn on just a few votes, and not bothering to vote simply hands the outcome to others. Take the time to find out who your local candidates are and where they stand on the issues that affect our neighbours. Some of you may have had the opportunity to meet with candidates personally, perhaps on your doorstep or at a public meeting, and to question them.
I want to tell you about a particular all-candidates gathering I was privileged to attend. On the evening of Sept. 8, I was the invited guest of Adath Israel Congregation in North York for its Toronto mayoral candidates’ debate. The attendees that night were almost exclusively Jewish, prompting some to ask me, with polite curiosity, “Why are you here?” I explained my strong belief that municipal government can and does make a difference, and that it was my great pleasure to be present to hear the concerns of the Jewish community, particularly considering the grievous rise in antisemitism right across Canada. (The obvious police presence in the room that evening underscored the danger that they experience every time they gather.)
I am committed to addressing the scourge of antisemitism in Canadian society and to offering the support of our Church and this Diocese to our Jewish siblings in faith. The College of Bishops is looking forward to meeting with a delegation of four distinguished rabbis this coming Wednesday so that we may listen to their concerns and offer our support. Please pray for us in that meeting, that the God we all worship will bless our conversation as we commit to walking and working together.
Casting a ballot on Monday is a small but important individual act where we can apply our Christian principles and values to society and make a small but important effort to help usher in God’s reign for our world. I encourage you to pray, and to vote.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
Bishop of Toronto
P.S. You can consult the Diocese of Toronto’s 2026 municipal election guide on our Social Justice & Advocacy web page.
