open Secondary menu

Chief Electoral Officer Promotes Civic Education Resources in Toronto

Media Advisory

TORONTO, November 27, 2018—Elections Canada is inviting media to an event that showcases its new civic education resources and website. The event is in collaboration with the East York Collegiate Institute in Toronto.

On November 30, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Stéphane Perrault will join a Grade 10 history class to explore a resource called Voting Rights Through Time. Through case studies, this resource focuses on issues of inclusion in Canada's democracy. The class will be taught by Christina Ganev, an East York Collegiate Institute teacher and a member of Elections Canada's Advisory Circle of Educators. She is one of many teachers across Canada who helped to develop and pilot the new suite of civic education resources for secondary students.

Quotes

"I enjoy having opportunities to join students in the classroom to explore Elections Canada's brand new civic education resources. Engaging students on civic participation and voting in elections is an important issue for us. We know that young Canadians who vote in the first election they are eligible for are likely to be lifelong voters. The reverse is also true, so it is critical that tomorrow's voters are equipped for, have interest in and understand the importance of their participation in Canadian elections."

—Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada

"I am pleased to be a part of this event. I believe in these resources and know that they have a positive impact on students. These resources help teachers cultivate students' interest in, knowledge of and habits that strengthen democracy, and encourage civic engagement. Voting Rights Through Time is my favourite activity to use in Grade 10 Canadian History because it encourages my students, a diverse group of learners, to think critically about events that have shaped democracy in Canada over time. Students enjoy the interactive and collaborative nature of the tasks involved, and the rich conversations that spring from them. I'm also very excited to host the Chief Electoral Officer and to give our students the rare opportunity to interact with him."

—Christina Ganev, Teacher at East York Collegiate Institute in Toronto

Details about the event
When November 30, 2018
10:20 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.
The in-class activity with Grade 10 students will take place from 10:20 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Media representatives are allowed to shoot during the entire activity.
Where East York Collegiate Institute
650 Cosburn Avenue
East York, Ontario
M4C 2V2
Media availability Starting at 11:45 a.m., Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Stéphane Perrault will be available for interviews on site. To schedule an interview, please contact Elections Canada Media Relations ahead of time at the coordinates below.

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, we collaborated with educators across the country to update our resources for secondary students to reflect today's curricula and teaching methods.
  • 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

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament.

Information:
Elections Canada Media Relations
1-877-877-9515
elections.ca

Subscribe to our news service at elections.ca.