Giving Youth Opportunities to Become Active Citizens

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 25, 2014) - Canadian Heritage

Thousands of young people across the country will acquire hands-on learning experience on Canadian democracy and citizenship thanks in part to support from the Government of Canada. The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced that funding of $200,000 is being provided to CIVIX for its projects "Student Vote 2014" and "Student Budget Consultation 2015."

This funding is provided through the Youth Take Charge program of Canadian Heritage. It will help CIVIX run mock elections in elementary and secondary schools in conjunction with municipal elections in Ontario and British Columbia. It will also help in implementing a civic education and financial literacy program in advance of the next federal budget.

Quick Facts

• Since 2003, CIVIX has conducted 21 parallel elections at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, reaching over 3 million students at 9,000 schools across Canada.

• The Student Vote 2014 project is receiving $100,000, which will allow 150,000 young people aged 7 to 18 in Ontario and British Columbia to take part in a parallel municipal election on the official local candidates. It will also highlight the centennial of women's suffrage, one of the historic milestones the Government of Canada is commemorating on the road to the country's 150^th birthday in 2017.

• The Student Budget Consultation 2015 project is receiving $100,000, which will allow 6,500 young people from across Canada aged 13 to 18 to participate in this program. Students will learn about government and major national issues, debate political viewpoints and offer their opinions on the priorities of the 2015 Federal Budget.

• The Youth Take Charge program provides opportunities for young Canadians to become involved in a range of activities designed to strengthen their knowledge of and attachment to Canada.

Quotes

"Our Government believes it is our duty to give young Canadians opportunities to become active citizens. That's why we support projects like those of CIVIX, a national organization that helps young people develop into engaged, informed and committed citizens. The Student Vote and the Student Budget Consultation give students unique, hands-on opportunities to learn about the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"CIVIX is delighted to receive the support of the Government of Canada to implement projects that will benefit current and future generations of Canadians. Through our programming this fall that will reach at least 100,000 Canadians, we are building a healthy and robust democracy inspired by the full participation of our youngest members."

-Taylor Gunn, CIVIX President and Chief Election Officer

Associated Links

Youth Take Charge

CIVIX

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