Elections Canada launches new civic education resources
[News release]
GATINEAU, September 19, 2018 – On the occasion of Canada's Democracy Week, Elections Canada has launched a new website and suite of educational resources for secondary classes. Developed with teachers and tested in classrooms across Canada, the resources help teachers deliver diverse and interactive civic education activities connected to history, citizenship, geography, math, and social studies.
Quote
A vibrant democracy requires informed, active citizens. There is no better time to spur citizens' curiosity and engagement than in their formative secondary years. I am proud to launch Elections Canada's new civic education resources, designed to build the knowledge, understanding, interests, and skills that young people need to participate in our electoral democracy. I encourage teachers to use these free, non-partisan, interactive tools in their classrooms, and help strengthen democracy for generations to come.
Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
Quick facts
- Educating students about the federal electoral process is an important part of Elections Canada's mandate. For over 20 years, we have fulfilled this mandate by providing a civic education program for students in primary and secondary schools.
- Recently, to reflect today's curricula and teaching methods, we collaborated with educators across the country to update our resources for secondary students.
- During the planning stage, we engaged with over 1,500 educators to understand their needs.
- We convened and sought guidance from an advisory circle of educators, comprised of representatives from every province and territory and from First Nations schools.
- Teachers and students piloted the program in classrooms across Canada–in all provinces, Yukon and Nunavut.
- The new resources are available for free in digital and printable formats on Elections Canada's new education website, ElectionsAndDemocracy.ca. Teachers who prefer to have printed classroom resources shipped to them may place an order through the website.
- Resources are bilingual, accessible and non-partisan.
Learn more:
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament.
Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
elections.ca