Religion, Civic Responsibility and Voting

Religion, Civic Responsibility and Voting

3:10 pm 4:30 pm Mon Sept 28

Croft Chapter House, University College (round extension on west end of University College)

15 King’s College Circle, Main Campus

Recognizing that Canadians’ religious identifications inform their public and political engagement, the panel on Religion, Civic Responsibility and Voting will explore the intersection of religion, civic responsibility, and voting. Panelists will discuss the relationship between religious and civic life in Canadian society, and invite participants to consider implications for critical and informed participation in electoral processes, including the 2015 Canadian Federal Election.

Panelists include:

Amira Elghawaby, Communications Director with the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

Amira obtained an honours degree in Journalism and Law from Carleton University in 2001. Since then, she has worked as both a full-time and freelance journalist, writing and producing stories for a variety of media including The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen, CBC Radio and New Canadian Media. In 2012, Amira was hired as the National Council of Canadian Muslims Human Rights Co-ordinator to advocate for the human rights & civil liberties of diverse communities.

Barbara Lloyd, Programme Co-ordinator, Church in Mission, The United Church of CanadaBarbara works in the General Council office of The United Church of Canada in Toronto. Her work involves planning and implementing advocacy actions and campaigns and working to strengthen congregations’ capacity to live out God’s mission.

Hugh Segal, Master of Massey College and former Canadian Senator

Hugh is a former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister in the 1990s, a former Associate Cabinet Secretary in Ontario in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and in June, 2014, he finished a nine year term as Senator representing Ontario. Hugh is a graduate in Canadian History from the University of Ottawa, was a Senior Fellow at both the Queen’s School of Policy Studies and Business School where he taught at the graduate level.

Further Resources

While faith communities remain non-partisan some prepare election kits to assist members in engaging candidates for the federal election in issues that reflect their values.

The Canadian Council of Churches Federal Election Guide

http://www.councilofchurches.ca/social-justice/election-2015/

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Federal Election Guide

http://www.cija.ca/cija-election-issues-guide/#

National Council of Canadian Muslims

http://www.nccm.ca/

An overview of religion and federal election results in Canada

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/07/13/Religions-Role-This-Election/

For people of faith, religious convictions are not purely a private matter. Values, justice principles and moral commitments inform all our actions. They guide us when we speak to politicians and when we vote on election day. Similarly, candidates representing political parties who arrive on our doorsteps or at our community centres speak from their principles and convictions when they ask for our votes.

-The Canadian Council of Churches 2015 Federal Election