This initiative ended in March 2026.
Over the last three school years, Elections Canada had an education coordinator in Surrey, British Columbia, as part of an effort to expand our professional learning services and to provide on-the-ground engagement at the local and provincial levels. This initiative was part of a pilot program to enhance our offering in the area. This program aimed to cultivate knowledge and interest in electoral participation and civic engagement among future voters. The Surrey education coordinator worked toward building meaningful relationships with local education stakeholders and developing culturally relevant approaches and services. In-person and virtual professional learning activities were offered at no cost to educators in Surrey.
Who could participate?
- Secondary and elementary school teachers
- Instructors, teacher-candidates and student associations at faculties of education
- School departments and teachers’ associations
- Educators and consultants in school departments, districts and ministries of education
What types of free activities were offered?
Each professional learning activity was tailored to classroom needs and presented in a variety of environments and approaches, including:
- Professional learning events
- Staff or department meetings
- Co-teaching or classroom demonstrations
- Faculty of education workshops
- Student events
Our professional learning services featured Elections Canada’s learning resources. We also touched on the following topics: critical thinking, inquiry-based learning, global competencies, civic engagement, blended learning strategies, literacy skills and language learner needs, and misinformation and disinformation.
To learn about our current professional development opportunities, email us at education@elections.ca.
Surrey Education Coordinator
Taseem Kaur was the regional educator for Elections Canada in Surrey, British Columbia. She delivered professional learning services in the region during the last three school years. She also delivered learning activities throughout the Metro Vancouver area.
With an educational background in the sciences and a multilingual proficiency in English, French and Punjabi, Taseem is committed to empowering minority communities to embrace their unique identities and validate their voices and experiences.
In collaboration with school boards across the Lower Mainland, Taseem has supported international students, facilitating their integration into the educational system and Canadian society. Her involvement as a gallery director and public educator at the Telus World of Science helped foster an interest in science for people of all ages. Working with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Taseem gained over a decade of experience delivering educational, leadership and flight instruction to high school aged cadets. In this role, she adapted instructional methods across various subjects and provided community outreach in multiple languages.
Within the Canadian electoral system, Taseem’s journey has been multifaceted, encompassing administrative roles, training and education, and clerical and supervisory poll duties at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. With the insight gained through her work, she has a comprehensive understanding of the electoral process and its significance.
Taseem has been deeply engaged in grassroots initiatives aimed at raising community awareness of socio-political issues within diasporic communities. Rooted in a strong foundation in cultural competency and practical application of public education, she continues to apply her skills and experience at Elections Canada to navigate and bridge diverse communities, foster community engagement and empower youth.