Atkinson Charitable Foundation

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CANADA SUFFERING FROM A HUGE DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT (JAN 27)

Canada Suffering from a Huge Democratic Deficit

Fewer Canadians are voting or volunteering for formal political groups, nearly half say they aren’t happy with the way Canada’s democracy works, and an overwhelming majority say that federal government policies have not made their lives better, according to the Democratic Engagement Domain Report (PDF 2MB) released on January 27 by the Institute of Wellbeing.

The Report also noted that women and minorities are underrepresented in the political process. Since 1997, the percentage of women Members of Parliament has remained low at about 20% of total seats.

On the positive side, Canadians are becoming more involved in informal democratic activities such as online discussions, social networking, protests and petitions. They want to have a greater say in the decisions that are shaping their world.

The report puts forward a number of positive ways that Canadians can become more engaged in their own Democracy.

Download the Report Highlights (PDF 345KB), the full Report (PDF 2MB), or read Improving Canada’s Democratic Engagement: 10 Ideas for Positive Change (PDF 87KB).

SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight on Early Learning: With Our Best Future in Mind

Spotlight Archives

WHAT'S NEW

Canadians are Caught in a Time Crunch, says new Canadian Index of Wellbeing report (June 15) More...

Social Assistance Review Council recommends bold vision for social assistance reform (June 14) More...

Ann Dowsett Johnston Wins Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy - Will Focus on Women and Alcohol Abuse (June 10) More...

Aboriginal child health featured on CBC's Sunday Edition: Interview with Cindy Blackstock (May 30) More...

Ontario Passes Full-Day Learning Act - Charles Pascal to assist integration of services for parents of infants and young children (April 27) More...

Atkinson Foundation seeks new Executive Director to champion Social and Economic Justice (April 15) More...

Measuring wellbeing means moving past "averages," write Grace Edward Galabuzi and Uzma Shakir (April 12) More...

RAH Award: April 12 Nomination Deadline (April 7) More...

Public transit is one of life's necessities, and we should treat it as such, writes Pat Capponi in "Your City, My City" Star blog (April 7) More...

Newcomers endure the colour of poverty, Uzma Shakir urges action in Kitchener (March 25) More...

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