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Young Canadians Invited to Get Ready for the Next Federal Election

Gatineau, Thursday, September 11, 2014 — Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Marc Mayrand is calling on youth to play a greater role in energizing the country's democracy as the one-year countdown to the next federal election approaches.

"Our democracy needs young Canadians to be creative, to take action and to make their voices heard," Mr. Mayrand says in the lead-up to Canada's Democracy Week, an Elections Canada civic education initiative. It runs from September 15 to 21 under the theme "Democracy: Own it."

Building on the success of the past initiatives, which involved over 600 youth in 2013, Elections Canada has partnered again this year with other Canadian election agencies, universities and a dozen youth-focused organizations like CIVIX, Encounters with Canada and Forum for Young Canadians to deliver a program of events that reaches youth where they are – in their schools and in their communities.

"In its fourth year, Canada's Democracy Week celebrates young people's role in our democracy. It's about everyone – especially teachers, parents and parliamentarians – engaging young Canadians in meaningful discussions about politics and the workings of our democracy," says Mr. Mayrand.

Inviting youth to enter the National Democracy Challenge is one way to start the discussion. It offers young Canadians the opportunity to creatively express their views about democracy through a video, an image or a piece of writing. Prizes include trips to Ottawa, a laptop, a digital camera and an iPhone.

Canada's Democracy Week will also feature a series of events and activities across the country and various learning tools to help inform and educate the voters of tomorrow. This year will have a particular focus on encouraging first-time voters, such as those turning 18, to get informed and make a plan to vote in next year's federal election.

Canada's Democracy Week is built around the United Nations' International Day of Democracy, celebrated worldwide on September 15 of each year.

Visit democracy-democratie.ca for more information about Canada's Democracy Week, including educational resources and a calendar of events. Follow the initiative on Twitter at @democracyCA #demcda and on Facebook at facebook.com/canadasdemocracyweek.

Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament.

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