Your voice, your vote for a stronger community through democracy.
What is The Democracy Project?
Democracy is a system of government where citizens play an active role in decision-making processes through fair elections. Everyday people can choose who they want to represent them in making important decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. This is important for local communities because it means people have a voice in the policies that impact them the most. The Democracy Project is a Metroland-wide initiative aimed to provide the resources needed to create positive change within their communities.
Our mission is to help individuals become more informed, engaged, and active in the democratic process to make sure their voices are heard.
What Impacts Democracy?
Voting
Democracy is at its best when all citizens participate in the election process — by learning about the candidates and the parties and where they stand on the issues, and making an educated vote. Low voter turnout can mean some groups are underrepresented at the polls and in office.
Media
A strong, independent, trusted media can provide the public with the information it needs to ask questions of its elected officials, and form opinions to support or challenge their decisions. Misinformation and disinformation in the media can have serious consequences for democracy.
Healthy Discourse
A democratic society is one where many opinions are heard, and debate leads to collaboration and solutions. When political parties and their followers become polarized, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and compromise, which can undermine democracy.
Equality
A level playing field, where all citizens have an equal voice and shared economic prosperity, bolsters democracy. Significant gaps in equality can lead to privileged individuals and corporations having disproportionate influence over the political process.
Oversight
Public participation in the democratic process, and media that hold the government accountable and shine a light on wrongdoings, can help ensure a fair and just government. When corruption is present in politics, it can erode trust in the government, diminish the rule of law, and disadvantage some citizens.
Voter Turnout
When voter turnout is low, it can lead to an underrepresentation of certain groups, which can have a significant impact on the outcome of elections and the overall functioning of the democratic process.
Media
The media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing political outcomes. Biased or fake news can misinform people and have serious consequences for democracy.
Political Polarization
When political parties become more polarized, it can lead to a breakdown in communication and compromise, which can undermine democracy.
Economic Inequality
When there is a significant income and wealth gap, it can lead to wealthy individuals and corporations having disproportionate influence over the political process, which can undermine democracy.
Corruption
When corruption is present in politics, it can have a corrosive effect on the democratic process. It can erode trust in the government, diminish the rule of law, and create an uneven playing field for citizens.
Did you know...
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Voting Across Canada
Voter turnout across Canada has decreased since 2015, from 48.8 per cent in 2019 to 44.5 per cent in 2021. In the late 1950s and early ’60s, it was more than 70 per cent.
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Voting Across Ontario
Ontario recorded the lowest voter turnout in history during the provincial election in 2022. Just 43.5 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.
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Voting Across Our Municipalities
Of 417 Ontario municipalities that held municipal elections in 2022, average voter turnout was 36.30 per cent, down from 38.30 in 2018, based on data from 385 municipalities.
This means:
Your vote and your voice matter more than ever!
A democracy can be healthy only when people are engaged and voting. People need to vote to make sure they elect the politicians they want — those who will implement policies that will make the community better — and get rid of those who are ill-informed, lazy or even corrupt. In addition, when voter turnout is low, the first people to turn away tend to be the young, the poor and the disaffected — making society less equitable.
You can make a difference.
We believe each person and every business has the power to make a significant impact on the strength and vibrancy of democracy right in their own community. Ideas can be as small as writing a letter to the editor about a neighbourhood issue or as grand as throwing your hat in the ring to run for municipal office. There are so many ways to get involved and make a difference.