When you vote in this month’s municipal election, residents are being asked to make health a priority.
Southwestern Public Health is encouraging voters to question municipal candidates about their public health priorities.
The health unit reminds voters municipalities are responsible for many areas that affect health and wellbeing, including social services, housing, transportation systems, police and emergency services, and recreation.
The six priorities are:
- Poverty and Income
- Housing and Homelessness
- Climate and Planetary Change
- Substance Use and Addictions
- Mental Health and Well-being
- Transportation
Peter Heywood, program director of healthy communities at the health unit notes, “While direct health services like hospital care are offered by the province of Ontario, many municipal decisions have the ability to positively impact the health of our communities, improving our overall wellness and vitality.
The health unit has set up a non-partisan voter information page which you can find here.
Written by Ian McCallum
