September 16, 2015 – To celebrate Canada’s Democracy Week, Elections Saskatchewan once again joined the Diefenbaker Canada Centre for a panel discussion on electoral engagement.
This year’s panel discussed the theme “Democracy: Let’s Get Canada Ready to Vote.” This topic is particularly significant for Saskatchewan voters, many of whom will have the opportunity to vote three times in the next year as federal, provincial, and municipal elections are on the horizon.
The panelists included:
“The Diefenbaker Canada Centre is proud to host local events that increase awareness of our democratic institutions and create a forum for dialogue,” said Jeremy Rayner, Director, Diefenbaker Canada Centre. “The event welcomes members of the public, elected officials, and students from the U of S, connecting the on and off campus community.”
“Discussions and events like this one are an important way to engage young people in our community and to try and confront alarming voter turnout numbers,” remarked Dr. Michael Boda. “It was good to hear from the other panelists, but talking and listening to the students in the crowd is equally as important and I found it very illuminating.”
Elections Saskatchewan has worked with the Diefenbaker Canada Centre for the past year to bring Your Voice Matters to elementary students across Saskatchewan, a program that teaches about government, political systems, electoral management and civic participation. During the 2014-2015 school year, Your Voice Matters engaged 3,852 students from 149 different classes in 55 schools from 27 different communities.
Elections Saskatchewan is the province’s nonpartisan, independent election management body. Given a mandate from the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly, it organizes, manages and oversees provincial electoral events.
[30]
Tim Kydd
Senior Director
Communications & Outreach
Elections Saskatchewan
tim.kydd@elections.sk.ca
(306) 787-7355