Wednesday, July 3, 2013

veryone knows the bad news voter turnout across Canada is down. In Ontarios most recent provincial election only 49.2% of eligible voters showed up the ballot box. Increasingly it is young people whose votes are being lost and

whose voices arent represented in the rooms where decisions are made. Confronted by these startling statistics, Samara set out in September to examine why political participation is waning, and what needs to change to turn things around. Democracy Talks is a discussion series that provides an opportunity for people who might not usually engage in political conversations to talk about democracy how its working for them, how its not, and what is standing in their way to getting involved. Over the last year, thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation, weve conducted Democracy Talks across Ontario and throughout Canada, focusing on youth and newcomers. Well share all our findings in the fall, but heres a tidbit we thought might be of interest: when it comes to reversing declining political engagement in Canada, community organizations may be the best remedy. Uzma Irfans positive energy makes her stand out in a room. An immigrant from Pakistan, she has been living in Mississauga for 14 years. When we ask her how she participates in her community, she recites a list of volunteer positions that could fill an entire blog post. Samara first met Uzma at a Democracy Talk held in partnership with the womens group Malton Moms. Today she is an inspiring leader in her neighbourhood and beyond, but she told us that she never would have had the confidence to get involved in the democratic process if it wasnt for her community groups encouragement. Only one year back I wasnt experienced so I was hesitant to talk to political leaders. It was lack of confidence as well as [the fact] that back home we have to be careful regarding [political] protocols ... Now with confidence, knowledge and experience I can talk to [politicians] easily...Recently I submitted a community petition[and met with our] MPP It was the Malton Women Council who helped me to regain my selfesteem and made me confident enough to be a community voice. Uzma isnt the only one who told us that support and encouragement from her community group led her to take action. This was a recurring theme across all groups. According to the 2013 International Edelman Trust Barometer, non-profits are the most trusted sector in Canada. Seventy-three percent of respondents said they had some level of trust in non-profits, while only 61% expressed trust in the media and only 58% trusted in business and government. Does that mean that non-profits can act as a gateway to democratic engagement? Samara thinks so. Uzmas advice to other community groups that want their supporters to become active democratic citizens is to trust the abilities of your members, encourage them, give them opportunities to explore their potential and assure them that they can represent the group at high levels. This is exactly what my council did with me. Well be producing a comprehensive report on the findings from our Democracy Talks, but for now its worth knowing that if community groups want members to work through the political system and make the changes you envision, the community group itself is key. Read more of the lessons weve learned from Democracy Talks through our Democracy Talks Dispatches article series:

Democracy Talks Dispatches: Does Canada Have a political culture? Democracy Talks Dispatches: University students skip the party Democracy Talks Dispatches: This is what democracy looks like Democracy Talks Dispatches: Needed A PhD. in MP relations? Democracy Talks Dispatches: A political welcome package Democracy Talks Dispatches: Making the personal political through civics

Want to know more about political participation? On July 8th, Samara will release a report on the state of political engagement beyond the ballot box in Canada. As a complement to this report we are building an online space that celebrates political citizens. We hope it will show a more human side to politics, and provide role models for those who are considering engaging politically themselves. Wed love for you to join us in highlighting the unsung heroes of Canadian democracy people such as campaign volunteers, local party members, community organizers and member of local riding associations who work through the political system to improve their communities. You can find a nomination form here. Please send all completed nomination forms to leora.smith@samaracanada.com. Read other posts by Samara contributors: Apathy to Empathy and Opportunities Knocking