Democratic Engagement
Explores how we take part in democratic processes in our communities, through political institutions, organizations, and activities, both during and between elections.

“Black History Month Celebration Committee, Caribbean Council of Manitoba, African Communities of Manitoba Inc., Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba, Congress of Black Women and representatives from over 20 other black-led and supporting organizations – we got together and decided to put together the Black Community Collective to talk about and respond to what we were seeing [with the Black Lives Matter movement], but also to call in not only our own community, but the community at large to say this isn’t just an American problem. This isn’t just a problem that’s happening in one place. It happens here, and it is a systemic problem.

Being politically engaged means saving lives. It means helping people. It means building stronger communities. It means seeing the health and wellbeing of everybody, every person.”

                         Tolu Ilelaboye, Volunteer Project Manager, African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI)

Tolu Ilelaboye, volunteer project manager with African Communities of Manitoba Inc. sits at her desk.

“Black History Month Celebration Committee, Caribbean Council of Manitoba, African Communities of Manitoba Inc., Afro-Caribbean Association of Manitoba, Congress of Black Women and representatives from over 20 other black-led and supporting organizations – we got together and decided to put together the Black Community Collective to talk about and respond to what we were seeing [with the Black Lives Matter movement], but also to call in not only our own community, but the community at large to say this isn’t just an American problem. This isn’t just a problem that’s happening in one place. It happens here, and it is a systemic problem.

Being politically engaged means saving lives. It means helping people. It means building stronger communities. It means seeing the health and wellbeing of everybody, every person.”

                         Tolu Ilelaboye, Volunteer Project Manager, African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI)

Take action!
  • Learn and understand the democratic process, have a basic understanding of politics.
  • Collaborate across sectors.

Calls for action submitted by participants of two public, Vital Conversations held on June 22, 2022.

Indicators

VOTER TURNOUT IN PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS

  55%

of registered voters in Manitoba voted in the 2019 Manitoba election. Voter turnout in Manitoba elections has dropped 19 per cent since 1988.

Source: Elections Manitoba 2019

CONFIDENCE IN CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

50%
61%
47%
of all Winnipeggers
of Indigenous Winnipeggers
of Black and Person of Colour Winnipeggers
50%
of all Winnipeggers
61%
of Indigenous Winnipeggers
47%
of Black and Person of Colour Winnipeggers

have confidence in charitable organizations.

Source: Representative survey of Winnipeggers 2022

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN VOTING

  8 in 10

8 in 10

Winnipeggers have searched for information on a political issue, boycotted or chose a product for ethical reasons, or signed an online petition in the last year.

Source: Representative survey of Winnipeggers 2022