Participating in a democracy in a meaningful way takes many forms. The rights to vote, to campaign, and to seek elected office are foundational to a healthy democratic system. These rights ensure that people can shape the decisions that affect their lives and hold those in power to account. When they are threatened, CCLA defends them in court and before lawmakers, and advocates for their protection and expansion.
The right to vote, in particular, lies at the heart of our democracy. It gives citizens a direct voice in how our country is governed and affirms the legitimacy of our political institutions. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, every Canadian citizen has the fundamental right to vote in federal and provincial elections.
When governments attempt to limit or restrict this right, they undermine participatory democracy itself. Such measures weaken public trust and erode the democratic principles that our legal and political systems are meant to uphold.
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