WE the People
Governance – Ethics – Empowerment
Why would we start a governance page with an empowerment chart?
Simply put, knowledge is power so learning about the governance of your city, province and/or country is necessary if you want to create change that will support healthy communities, healthy families and a healthy future for all.
You may not have grow up learning about government systems, politics or voting but it is never to late to learn something new….and even though learning about governance may not sound like a subject you want to give your time to, the result that you will likely experience from gaining this knowledge will not only be empowering, but could lead your life in directions you would have never previously considered!
Municipal Government
Understanding Your municipal/Local Government
Municipal governments are local elected authorities. They include cities, towns and villages, and rural (county) or metropolitan municipalities. They are created by the provinces and territories to provide services that are best managed under local control; from waste disposal and public transit to fire services, policing, community centres and libraries. A municipal government’s revenue is raised largely from property taxes and provincial grants. Reference: The Canadian Encyclopedia.
Participating in Local Council Meetings
Aurora, ON – Joel Sussman Spoke to 15 Minute Cities
campbell river – HPOA (Bill 36) & healthcare in BC
COAP – Local Actions in the cowichan valley
Organizations taking local action
kiclei
Citizens Oversight & Accountability Project (COAP)
KELOWNA CITIZENS SAFETY ASSOCIATION
Kicking the International Council Out of Local Environmental Initiatives (KICLEI) educates and supports local communities to push back against global agendas and reallocate their resources toward local priorities.
Momentum is growing across Canada as more municipalities question the financial and governance risks of global climate programs like FCM’s Partners for Climate Protection (PCP). KICLEI is working to ensure local councils prioritize municipal needs over global directives—and they need your help to push this forward!
Attend a monthly meeting to learn more about KICLEI and how you can take back your community! Pre-register HERE
Customized Advocacy for Local Communities
Key areas of focus include:
- Preliminary Research & Organization
- NGO Research
- Report Development
- Report Submission & Advocacy Preparation
- Public Campaign Development
- Townhall Presentation Preparation
- In-Person Meetings, Delegations, and Presentations
- Messaging Support for Local Councils
- PR Support for Candidates and Political Actors
Political Scorecards Canada (PSC)
Putting Transparency and Accountability Back into Politics
It is likely that you are aware of how valuable Political Scorecards are for the Political Process. We can all have an impact on our Politicians by being clear about our expectations. Politicians are our “employees” and we need them to be transparent and accountable.
Ways to get involved with Political Scorecards Canada:
- Take the Peoples Pledge and be part of the process
- Inform yourself of where your Politicians stand – view their scorecard HERE
- Ask these questions of all candidates so you can make the right decision.
- Take a screenshot of your politician’s scorecard, share it on social media, talk about it with your friends, family & neighbors
- Review of Voting Process – Complete the Election Integrity survey
provincial government
The Power of A Townhall
The BCTOWNHALLS2024 initiative operated as a self-funded, non-partisan organization, independent of political and activist groups, dedicated to transparency and inclusivity. Their purpose was revitalizing the tradition of face-to-face dialogue in a digital era. Their vision was a community where each voice is not only heard but respected, fostering unity, understanding, and informed decision-making. By organizing live, moderated town-hall discussions on vital issues, they enabled citizens to engage critically with experts, officials, and one another in a neutral, respectful setting.
While BCTOWNHALLS2024 is no longer organizing townhalls, their 2024 initiative was extremely successful in creating awareness and strengthening community.
If you are a natural born leader and organizer with a message to share, creating a townhall is a very powerful way to unite – educate – and collaborate with your community.
bc bills explained at townhalls across bc
coombs, bc
victoria, bc
comox, bc
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
The three functions of the Legislative Assembly are to:
Learn about the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
freedom of information request
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request gives you the right to access records held by the government.
This FOI training video will provide step-by-step details for submitting a FOI request in BC.
- Identify the public body
- Prepare your request
- Submit your request
- Pay the application fee
- Await response
- Review decision
- Appeal to the OIPC
NOTE: The FOI library has merged with Canadian Covid Care Alliance. Updates coming soon.
Building a relationship with your mla
make a phone call
send an email
write a letter
federal government
A Member of Parliament (MP) is a representative elected by Canadian voters. It is an MP’s responsibility to listen to the needs and concerns of their constituents.
Ultimately, MP’s work for you and they want to hear from you!
2025 Federal Budget
News Release: Government of Canada Releases Budget 2025: Canada Strong
ARCHIVE: Public Accounts of Canada 2023–2024
Building a relationship with your member of parliament (MP)
make a phone call
send an email
write a letter
Join BC Rising
