These Christians and Sikhs say faith will guide their vote in this federal election

Isidore Agokei and his three children went to mass early on Palm Sunday, the start of the Easter week. He says Easter reminds him of salvation and hope, and those themes guide him as he considers his vote. 

This year, the federal election falls roughly one week after one of the biggest holidays on the Christian calendar.

So as part of CBC's effort to understand what matters to communities across Canada this campaign, we decided to visit several communities of faith. 

Agokei was at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in northeast Calgary. He's a financial advisor in the insurance industry who moved from Nigeria three years ago. 

"My faith guides me because I will be listening to what candidate resonates with these characteristics I've spoken about — hope, renewal and strength, and of working toward a more united and strengthened Canada," he said, standing in the sunshine as worshippers left mass. 

He said he's heard a lot of promises so far, which makes him skeptical. But he's leaning toward voting Conservative.

"In the spirit of renewal and hope, I think going in a different direction, maybe a path toward renewal."

In the 2021 census from Statistics Canada, about 60 per cent of Albertans identified themselves as being religious. Christianity was the most common religion, followed by Islam and Sikhism. Since last Sunday was both Palm Sunday and Vaisakhi, we visited two churches and a gurdwara.

At the Catholic church, the key election issues were affordability, the integrity of the party leaders and their approach to Canada's relationship with the United States, and the sense of hope.

Among the six people we spoke with, voting intentions were mixed between Liberals and Conservatives. Those voting Liberal said it was because of Leader Mark Carney's character and approach to the United States.

The issues were different at the Pentecostal church. Southside Victory Church is near the Chinook transit centre.

Pastor Craig Buroker described it as a church that believes in a literal interpretation of the Bible — that Christ died on Good Friday and came to life again on Easter, which is what allows people to have their sins forgiven and find new life. 

The issues worshippers talked about at the Victory Church were abortion, a traditional interpretation of gender identity, supporting Israel, reducing crime through stiffer sentences, and restricting MAID in cases where mental health is the concern. 

Bona Cortez was walking into church with her children. She said her faith is important to her because it gives her a sense of guidance.