News Releases and Media Advisories

Connecting Canadians Through Canada's Democracy Week

OTTAWA, Wednesday, September 4, 2013 — Elections Canada is inviting Canadians to participate in Canada's Democracy Week from September 16 to 23, 2013. The week will include events and activities across the country.

This year, Canadians are being asked to celebrate the theme Connect with democracy. "Democracy works best when people feel an active sense of ownership," says Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Marc Mayrand. "Youth have proven to be perceptive and engaged citizens. Canada's Democracy Week is about celebrating what youth are doing to promote democracy in their communities."

Here are some highlights of this year's Canada's Democracy Week:

• The National Democracy Challenge is back. The contest invites Canadian youth, aged 14 to 30, to submit a video, image or piece of writing that showcases democracy in action. Entries will be judged by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Rick Mercer and George Stroumboulopoulos, and the winners will receive prizes.
• Events will be held with the University of British Columbia, the University of Manitoba, the University of Ottawa and Dalhousie University, where students and panelists will exchange ideas about the importance of democracy and voting.
• A public roundtable discussion featuring leaders in democratic engagement will be co-hosted by Institut du Nouveau Monde in Montréal.
• Rep Day is being coordinated by CIVIX in several high schools. Elected representatives will visit classrooms to discuss current political issues with students.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is launching a democracy module as part of its Keystone youth leadership program, and the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education is launching a youth civic education module to be delivered by future teachers at the Encounters with Canada program.
• Following Canada's Democracy Week, on September 28, Mr. Mayrand will be speaking at the Power of the Arts National Forum hosted by the Michaëlle Jean Foundation and Carleton University, where he will discuss the importance of civic engagement.

Canada's Democracy Week is an Elections Canada civic education initiative that was first launched in September 2011. It is built around the United Nations' International Day of Democracy, celebrated worldwide on September 15.

See Also:

• Backgrounder

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