December 7, 2012
Our politics is no longer just uncivil, it is broken. It has been eighteen months since the last federal election and yet the negative, attack first - reason later, style of politics continues - from the floor of the House of Commons to the anonymity of online forums. Fortunately, there are many Canadians - community activists, educators, members of civil society organizations, citizens from across the country, and yes, some politicians - committed to a more respectful, inclusive public discourse. In fact, they are working to repair our politics. We should join them.
If you have thoughts or ideas geared to increasing civic participation, raising the level of civility and encouraging greater civic education, we would love to hear them. Please e-mail us at info@civilelection.ca.
Welcome to Civil Election, a grassroots, non-partisan initiative to encourage thoughtful, inclusive and respectful discussions during the 2011 federal election campaign. Canada has a rich history of civil public debate - even on the most complex and sensitive of issues. But our current political climate does not lend itself to this tradition. Too often the discourse fails to live up to the expectations many of us have for our democracy, increasing public cynicism and discouraging voter engagement in the process. This must change.
Over the course of the next few weeks, candidates across the country will be invited to sign the pledge below and commit to a civil election campaign. This website will be updated regularly with the names of all candidates who sign the pledge and those who do will be held to their word. By building a foundation for more civil political discussions at the local level, we hope to set an example for the national campaigns.
Civil Election Campaign Pledge 2011
As a candidate for the Parliament of Canada, I am committed to an election campaign that is civil and encourages broad public participation. I therefore pledge to:
· Make myself available for public debates and all-candidate meetings
· Not engage in personal attacks on my political opponents
· Advocate for a respectful and substantive exchange of ideas
Signature :
Name:
Date:
Riding:
Party:
E-mail:
Phone number:
You are invited to assist in this effort by connecting with candidates in your own riding and urging them to take the pledge.
A copy of the pledge may be downloaded here:
Our politics is no longer just uncivil, it is broken. It has been eighteen months since the last federal election and yet the negative, attack first - reason later, style of politics continues - from the floor of the House of Commons to the anonymity of online forums. Fortunately, there are many Canadians - community activists, educators, members of civil society organizations, citizens from across the country, and yes, some politicians - committed to a more respectful, inclusive public discourse. In fact, they are working to repair our politics. We should join them.
If you have thoughts or ideas geared to increasing civic participation, raising the level of civility and encouraging greater civic education, we would love to hear them. Please e-mail us at info@civilelection.ca.
Welcome to Civil Election, a grassroots, non-partisan initiative to encourage thoughtful, inclusive and respectful discussions during the 2011 federal election campaign. Canada has a rich history of civil public debate - even on the most complex and sensitive of issues. But our current political climate does not lend itself to this tradition. Too often the discourse fails to live up to the expectations many of us have for our democracy, increasing public cynicism and discouraging voter engagement in the process. This must change.
Over the course of the next few weeks, candidates across the country will be invited to sign the pledge below and commit to a civil election campaign. This website will be updated regularly with the names of all candidates who sign the pledge and those who do will be held to their word. By building a foundation for more civil political discussions at the local level, we hope to set an example for the national campaigns.
Civil Election Campaign Pledge 2011
As a candidate for the Parliament of Canada, I am committed to an election campaign that is civil and encourages broad public participation. I therefore pledge to:
· Make myself available for public debates and all-candidate meetings
· Not engage in personal attacks on my political opponents
· Advocate for a respectful and substantive exchange of ideas
Signature :
Name:
Date:
Riding:
Party:
E-mail:
Phone number:
You are invited to assist in this effort by connecting with candidates in your own riding and urging them to take the pledge.
A copy of the pledge may be downloaded here:
| election_campaign_pledge.pdf |
