The overnight shelter in Thunder Bay recently helped the unhoused people vote during the Ontario election. The staff at the Shelter House signed identification confirmation letters for people without a permanent address or piece of identification.

The NorWest Community Health Centres helped in arranging shuttles for voters, using the Care Bus, a mobile warming centre that provides support and supplies on board. While eligible voters must be 18, Canadian citizens, and Ontario residents, those without a permanent address often face obstacles in voting. Over 550 people are homeless in Thunder Bay, with 78% being Indigenous. The Shelter House worked with other low-barrier services to help the homeless people register, find polling stations, and access transportation.

Champagne Thomson, Shelter House’s development manager, shared that the shelter staff helped the residents make informed decisions about who they’re going to vote for and got them involved in the process as their voice does matter. Thomson strongly believes that the homeless population needs to be engaged more in the election process because it’s their lives that are being impacted the most. She also noted that many felt surprised by the opportunity, as they have often been excluded from such processes.

About 43 percent of voters turned out during the Thunder Bay ridings in the last provincial election. Elections Ontario hired about 55,000 people to run the 2025 vote.

Source: CBC