New BC-based mobile platform redefines civic participation by bridging the gap between citizens and their elected officials.
Connect Locally: The Digital Bridge Between Voters and Leaders Is Here
In a time when community connection feels more fragmented than ever, a tech solution from Comox, British Columbia is helping to turn the tide. On March 29, 2025, Colin Hanes, founder of MEO Technologies Inc., launched the My Elected Official (MEO) app. It is a tool designed to connect locally by putting your representatives just a tap away.
Built for Android and iOS, MEO allows users to instantly identify, follow, and communicate with their elected officials. This includes federal, provincial, or municipal officials. It’s part of a broader movement to rebuild civic participation through technology. This is similar to innovations we’ve covered in how apps drive civic change.
“It shouldn’t take more effort to contact your MP than to order a pizza,” says Hanes. And now, it doesn’t.
Connect Locally: Why Now Is the Moment for the MEO App
The MEO app comes at a time when traditional political outreach has been struggling to reach younger and digitally native populations. According to Elections Canada, voter turnout among 18–24-year-olds remains staggeringly low. Confusion about civic processes is often cited as a top reason.
MEO solves this problem by offering:
- Real-time profiles of elected officials
- Contact tools for email, calls, and social messages
- Legislative updates tailored to your region
- Alerts about public consultations or new bills
This innovation aligns with other civic tech solutions discussed in our analysis on why digital tools could be the key to reversing voter apathy.
The app pulls from publicly available data through government portals like Canada.ca. It matches this data to the user’s location, delivering a clean, nonpartisan interface anyone can use.
Connect Locally: From Personal Frustration to a National Vision
MEO wasn’t born in a boardroom. It began in the everyday life of Hanes, a father, business owner, and local resident. After struggling to find and reach the right officials about a school zoning issue, Hanes realized how inaccessible civic participation had become.
That led to a bigger question: How can we empower more people to raise their voices—especially those who never thought they could?
What followed was two years of development, consultation with civic advisors, and testing across different Canadian regions. Now, MEO is live and ready to scale beyond Comox. It has a vision to expand into international democracies where citizen trust is rapidly declining.
The Road Ahead: Impact, Sentiment, and Real Connection
So far, early adopters in Comox and surrounding areas have called MEO “a civic game-changer.” Local parent groups, small business coalitions, and youth organizations have praised the app’s simplicity and effectiveness. It’s already being recommended by civic educators and student union leaders across the province.
By promoting democratic engagement, citizen empowerment, and direct action, MEO isn’t just another app—it’s a catalyst for civic renewal. ReadMore
Final Takeaway
The Connect Locally movement is more than a digital trend—it’s a democratic necessity. As the MEO app gains traction, it signals a shift toward transparent, accountable, and interactive governance. In this shift, every citizen has a voice and the means to use it.
Whether you’re an engaged voter or just starting your political journey, this is your tool. This is your time.
