From coast to coast to coast, people in Canada are observing a decline in the health of our democracy. Examples like increasing use of the Notwithstanding Clause to circumvent Charter rights and avoid the scrutiny of the courts, threats to judicial independence, and enacting legislation that permits governments to bypass other legal protections point to what many call "democratic backsliding" - governments that are less transparent, less accountable and accessible to the people they serve.
This session examines this trend drawing on examples from Québec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, as well as the potential to fundamentally alter the criminal justice system in Canada at the federal level, and underscores the role of educators in pushing back against authoritarian governance by using the classroom as a space to foster democratic resilience.
How do we move students from being passive observers of injustice to active participants in democracy? This fast-paced, dual-resource workshop provides educators with a complete blueprint for civic engagement, connecting Alberta’s history of activism to the practical tools of modern policy change.
Part 1: The Inspiration (35 Minutes) – Edmonton as a Human Rights City
We begin by exploring the "Living Legacy of Activism." Using a resource developed with the City of Edmonton Archives, we introduce the Expose–Oppose–Propose framework. Educators will explore video interviews and lesson plans featuring local changemakers like Michael Phair and Carola Cunningham. This segment focuses on building empathy and critical thinking, helping students see activism as a long-standing tradition in their own backyard.
Part 2: The Action (35 Minutes) – Advocacy 101 & Policy Engagement
Building on that inspiration, we transition to Ignite Change, a new three-module Google Classroom course. We move beyond theory to give students real-world tools to influence the laws that affect them. Using Canadian case studies (such as the advocacy following the cases of Amanda Todd and Rehtaeh Parsons), we demonstrate how "lived experience is evidence."
What Educators Will Gain:
The Advocacy & Policy Toolkit: Practical templates for writing to MPs, submitting testimony to Committees, and navigating the 7 stages of a Bill.
Ready-to-Use Curriculum: Access to both the "Activism Project" and the "Youth Engagement in Policy" LMS modules. Educators will be guided through a high-impact curriculum that uses landmark Canadian case studies—such as the advocacy following the cases of Amanda Todd and Rehtaeh Parsons—to demonstrate how youth mobilization can force systemic legal change.
Participants will walk away with a ready-made Advocacy & Policy Toolkit, including: Advocacy vs. Lobbying 101: Clear definitions and ethical boundaries. The 7 Legislative Stages: Identifying key entry points, such as the Committee Stage, where "lived experience is evidence". Practical Templates: Guides for writing effective letters to Members of Parliament (MPs), submitting written testimony, and requesting formal meetings.This session is ideal for Social Studies, Civics, and Leadership teachers looking to provide students with a "youth-led blueprint" for modern citizenship. Div 3, 4
