September 15 – the International Day of Democracy

Today (September 15) is the International Day of Democracy! The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, made a statement this morning.

Let’s learn a few things about Democracy today!

What is Democracy?

Democracy, in a nutshell, means “rule by people”. A democratic government is where all members can take part in the decisions that affect the way their community is run.

What are the core issues of Democracy?

freedom of assembly and speech
right to life and minority rights
inclusiveness and equality
consent
voting, and more!

What’s the opposite of a Democracy?

The opposite of a Democracy is a Dictatorship. A dictator is a single person that rules the nation. All the power is centralized on the hands of the dictator. People living in such a nation do not participate in local politics and have little to no freedom of speech.

Types of Democracy in modern society:

Generally, there are two types:

Direct democracy: The people meet to directly decide about new laws and changes to existing ones.
Representative democracy: The people elect their leaders. These leaders, also called representatives, will make decisions about laws.
The elements of these two basic types can also be combined.

Is Canada a democratic country?

Yes, the Canadian government is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. Canada’s Parliament consists of three parts:

the Queen, represented by the governor-general
the Senate
the House of Commons

How does voting work in Canada?

To register and vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older on election day and provide acceptable proof of identity and address. If you hold a different immigration status (e.g. you are a permanent resident) in Canada, you are not eligible to vote.

Voting is voluntary. An eligible registered voter doesn’t vote for the Prime Minister directly. The voter votes for the local Member of Parliament (MP). More information about democracy in Canada.