Back to School 2018: Focus on Democracy! - Get to Know Understand Experiment Vote! - Directeur général des élections du ...
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Back to School
2018:
Focus on Democracy!
Get to Know eas
Good id with
Understand lking
for ta bout
youth a cy!
Experiment… Vote! democr
a
2018 Provincial Election Simulations
The 2018 Provincial
General Election:
An Experience Designed Especially for Table of Contents
Young People!
In keeping with the provincial general election, democracy will be a part of the
lesson plan right from the start of the school year!
Making Democracy
Part of the Fall Lineup
4
5
Even though they aren’t old enough to vote, people under the age of 18 have a
unique perspective on the world around them, take an interest in what’s going on
and voice their opinions on a range of subjects. Many of them are active in their Introducing the Basics
community and are doing their part to change the world. And of course, they are of Democracy in
tomorrow’s adults, and one day it will be their turn to vote. the Classroom
10
By taking part in the Voters in Training program, you give these future voters a
chance to experience democracy first-hand. You give them an opportunity to
develop a better understanding of the society in which they live and to familiarize Trying Out Voting in
themselves with the workings of our political and democratic institutions. a Simulated Election
13
You also equip them to become responsible and engaged citizens.
Inspiring a Desire
to Get Involved
Conclusion
15 2
Foreword
This guide was developed for stakeholders in the education system (Secondary
and Elementary Cycle 2 levels) and youth organizations. It outlines the Voters in
Training program, which will be put into effect for the 2018 provincial election.
It contains novel ideas for helping young people to get to know, understand and
experience democracy right from the start of the upcoming school year!
What is Voters in Training?
Voters in Training is an educational program focusing on democracy. Run by
Élections Québec since 2015, it was first developed by the Forum jeunesse de
l’île de Montréal and spearheaded by the same organization from 2001 to 2014.
During provincial general election, the program’s Schools and Youth Organizations
components give young people an opportunity to learn about democracy, most
notably by taking part in a simulated election during which they can vote for people
who are actually running as candidates in their electoral division. The program is
provided at no cost all across Québec, in both English and French (under the name
“Électeurs en herbe”).
3
r 2018 –
Septembe
Th e p e r f e ct time to
: Making Democracy
Part of the Fall Lineup
toral
ut the elec
Learn abo g fun!
hile havin
process w
around
democracy
Celebrate m ber 15
since Septe The provincial general election will be everywhere in the news as soon as
the world, ional Day
rnat
is the Inte y! Quebecers come back from their summer vacations. And as long as the elec-
ocrac
of Dem
tion campaign is in full swing, young people will see countless news stories on
political parties and candidates on the Internet. On radio and television, they
will hear ads encouraging them to vote. They will also listen to friends and
family members discussing and debating the issues. In short, they will be
witnesses to everything going on around them.
Why not take advantage of the new school year to put democracy in the spotlight?
Not to mention that promoting democratic values starting right in September is
MAY an excellent way to get the new year off to a positive start, in schools as well as
in youth organizations!
Registration for Voters in Training starts on Fun and Educational Activities
May 15! You will receive all the materials
The Voters in Training program has developed a schedule of fun and
you need to prepare your activities for the fall,
at no charge: educational activities that you can use to make democracy a special focus
throughout the month of September. The program culminates with a simulated
• A calendar of fun and educational activities
on the subject of democracy election in which participants will be able to vote for the actual candidates
• A poster celebrating the fall focus on running in their electoral division.
democracy Want to learn more? Contact the Voters in Training team
• All the materials you need to simulate (electeursenherbe@dgeq.qc.ca). They’ll be able to help you turn
an election (ballot papers, ballot boxes and the spotlight on democracy this fall!
polling booths)
• Privileged access to the Voters in Training
online platform
• Support from a dedicated team to help
you make your Voters in Training experience
a success! 4
“
Before voting, we started by
”
clarifying the various levels of
government so that our students
could make an informed decision.
Introducing the Basics of
Jérôme Poisson, Secondary 2 teacher Democracy in the Classroom
École secondaire Guillaume-Couture
Voters in Training serves up turnkey educational activities to help you incorpo-
rate democracy into your lesson plan. These activities were designed to meet
the requirements of the Québec Education Program and are consistent with
the learning paths of several subject matters, including: Social Sciences, History,
Ethics and Religious Culture.
Goals of Suggested Activities:
Understand the workings of our political and democratic institutions
From parks and museums to post offices, schools and hospitals, the govern-
ment is omnipresent in our lives. Its presence is felt in many different ways. In
fact, there are several levels of government, with federal, provincial, municipal
governments and school boards. Each level has its own areas of responsibility,
and sometimes they overlap.
TRY THE ACTIVITY Who Does What?
Get informed and develop critical thinking abilities
Getting informed and developing critical thinking abilities is an important
aspect of the Voters in Training program. It isn’t always easy to take a position
80% on a political issue, especially during election campaigns. We may not know
what to base our opinion on, or whom to trust. The factors that influence our
opinions are many and varied: they include our personality, values, experience,
community, family and friends, and more.
During the 2017 municipal elections, over 80%
of students felt that the educational activities TRY THE ACTIVITY Vote for Me!
proposed by Voters in Training gave them a
better understanding of the workings of our
democratic system and its institutions.
5
Register for Voters
Want more
ACTIVITY Who Does What? activities?
in Training starting
on May 15, 2018!
In this activity, young people
will learn to recognize the
ANSWERS
various levels of government.
Who Does What?
Federal Provincial Municipal School
board
Libraries
✘
Education
SUGGESTED APPROACH Organization of school
✘
transportation
✘
1. Divide participants into teams of two or Public transportation
(buses, subway)
✘
three members.
Waste collection
2. Ask each team to discuss the responsibilities ✘
Banking and monetary syst
of the various levels of government and fill em ✘
in the activity sheet. Enrolment at an educational
establishment
✘
3. Review the answers all together.
Environment
✘ ✘
4. Present the correct answers.
Civil rights
“
✘
5. Ask participants:
Water supply and sanitatio
n of
grey water
Was it hard to determine which level of ✘
government has which responsibility? Agriculture
✘ ✘
How did you match the responsibilities Employment insurance
✘
”
with the right level of government?
National defence
✘
Is there any level of government that
Driver’s licences
seems easier or harder to understand? ✘
Health system
✘
6
ACTIVITY Who Does What?
School
Federal Provincial Municipal
Who Does What?
board
Libraries
Can you figure out which level Education
of government is responsible
Organization of school
for what? Be careful: some transportation
responsibilities may be Public transportation
(buses, subway)
shared by two levels!
Waste collection
Banking and monetary system
Be careful!
Enrolment at an educational
Some responsibilities may be establishment
shared by two levels.
Environment
Civil rights
Water supply and sanitation
of grey water
Agriculture
Employment insurance
National defence
Driver’s licences
Health system
7
Register for Voters
Want more
ACTIVITY Vote for Me! activities?
ACtIVItY
in Training starting
on May 15, 2018!
In this activity, young people will
Vote for me
think about the importance of ACtIVItY !
learning about the various candidates r me!
Vote Cfo
andidate –
running in an election. 1
Hi, my nam C
e is
I play a lot .
of sports. I
am also ve Candida H
Candida invo ed1in organi
telv– ry
zing sports
the commun activities inHello, myI
ity. I have ra . h
Hi, my nam e is
fund teams is ed money to
and help th y I love heldpi
SUGGESTED APPROACH to
I play a loturofnaspo rts. I am
ments. Obvi also
ousl
em
ver p ar ti
in
cipate in
help grotiup m
sports act I loies
y, ivit ve ho
involvednaintiorg spzing
onalani ort! ckey, our cultie
diffi
ed mo ney to ac
the community. I have rais time tove m
m participate in
1. Choose three students and ask them to come to the front fund teams and help the act ivit ies
, I love hockey, our
tournaments. Obviously Vote for m
of the class. e! very prou
national sport!
2. Hand out a “Candidate” card to each one and ask them to read
Vote for me!
their card out loud in turn.
3. Hold a vote by asking students to choose their favourite candidate.
Write the results on the blackboard.
4. Next, hand out a “Promise” card to each student who already has a I promise to
…
“Candidate” card and ask them to read the contents of both cards out extend our I pro
lunchtime!
loud in turn. students ca
n have mor
That way,
… e fun with th decom
I pr
I fr
pr ieom and to
nds,ise the teache eir re
5. Hold a second vote by asking students to choose their favourite rs can rest. to bui
candidate based on the new information. Write the results on the t way, decreas
extend our lunchtime! Tha
e mo re fun with their to build
blackboard. students can hav Vote for m
rs can rest. e!
friends, and the teache
“
6. Ask students to compare the two sets of results:
Vote for me!
Would the same candidate have won in both polls? Why or why not?
”
Did you vote for the same person in both polls?
If so, why didn’t you change your mind? If not, why did you
change your mind?
8
ActivitY
Vote for Me!
“Candidate” cards
Candidate – 1 Candidate – 2 Candidate – 3
Hi, my name is . Hi, my name is . Hi, my name is .
I play a lot of sports. I am also very I love helping others. I set up a homework I am a person who really doesn’t like to
involved in organizing sports activities help group for students with learning take risks. When I set up a project,
in the community. I have raised money difficulties. I also dedicate a lot of my I would rather be cautious and make
to fund teams and help them participate time to my studies. I helped develop choices by weighing the pros and cons.
in tournaments. Obviously, I love hockey, activities at a community centre and In my free time, I like to surf the Web and
our national sport! I’m very proud of it! play online video games with my friends.
Vote for me! Vote for me! Vote for me!
“Promise” cards
I promise to…
I promise to… I promise to…
eliminate homework! Whith me, all
extend our lunchtime! That way, decrease the size of the schoolyard work will have to be done at school.
students can have more fun with their to build a skate park. To do this, students will have to stay at
friends, and the teachers can rest.
school for one extra hour per day.
Vote for me! Vote for me!
Vote for me!
9
“ ”
What I appreciate most about the
program is its flexibility, which allows
us to adapt it to our own needs.
Trying Out Voting in a
Marie-Josée Pineault, Program Organizer
Maison des jeunes du quartier Saint-Jean-Baptiste
Simulated Election
Schools and youth organizations are the ideal places for young people to
“
experience democracy first-hand.
”
With the Voters in Training program, In view of the upcoming provincial election, why not take action and organize
every student gets a chance to a simulated election where participants will be able to vote for the candidates
practice making important life choices. actually running in their electoral division? This experience will teach
them about the various stages in the process of holding a vote and make
Arianne Grenier, Secondary 2 student
École secondaire Guillaume-Couture them more aware of how important it is to exercise their voting rights
when the time comes.
In addition, this is a wonderful opportunity to initiate discussions with young
people about current events and issues affecting the future of their society,
helping to make them informed voters!
When Young People Vote
Voters in Training provides all election materials (ballot papers, ballot boxes
and voting booths) and all the assistance you need to make the simulation a
success, at no charge. Whether at a school or youth organization, young
participants will get an opportunity to express their views and vote. Afterwards,
they can even compare their results with the actual election results.
90% During the 2017 municipal general election:
• Over 230 schools and youth organizations held simulated elections.
• Nearly 20,000 young people voted.
90% of program organizers at participating institutions
felt that the simulation gave young people a better
understanding of the electoral process.
10Register for Voters
Want more
ACTIVITY Test Your activities?
in Training starting
on May 15, 2018!
Election Smarts!
In this activity, young people will
put their knowledge of democracy
to the test.
ANSWERS
SUGGESTED APPROACH 1. c 2. b 3. c
4. a 5. a 6. c
1. Form teams with three or four members each.
2. Ask each team to answer all the questions. 7. True
And why not play along yourself and test your (for example, advance polling day and
election day :
There are five additional days when
own knowledge of elections? you can exercise your
right to vote at the returning officer’s
office or at another
designated polling station. For instance,
a voter who is
3. Present the answers to the group. living temporarily in an electoral divis
ion other than his or
her home division can exercise the right
to vote by voting
there for a candidate running in his or
4. Ask each team to count the number of right division. This voting option is also avai
her own electoral
lable during the five
answers. Which team scored highest? additional days allowed for voting at
the office of the
returning officer or one of the designat
ed polling stations.)
5. Do a quick recap of the questions and identify
the ones that were hardest to answer. 8. d 9. b 10. c
11ActivitY
Test Your Election Smarts!
4. What is our political
2. How many voters are there
1. Into how many electoral 3. What was the voter turnout system called?
in each electoral division?
divisions is the Québec in the last provincial a Representative democracy
electoral map divided?
a Roughly 25,000 general election, in 2014?
b Monarchy
b Roughly 40,000
a 150 c 125 a 46% c 71% c Direct democracy
c Roughly 50,000
b 225 d 350 b 53% d 81% d Aristocracy
d Roughly 100,000
5. On April 25, 2015, what important anniversary 6. Organizing an election involves a
did we celebrate? 7. True or false:
lot of people working on the ground.
There’s more than
a The 75th anniversary of Québec women’s Which of the following people has
one day to go vote.
right to vote in provincial elections no role to play on election day?
a The deputy returning officer True
b The 30th anniversary of the presence of
The officer in charge of information False
women in politics b
c The 50th anniversary of the National Assembly and order
d The 100th anniversary of the
c The candidate
Commission de la représentation électorale d The poll clerk
10. I am a draft text tabled in the National
Assembly and studied by Members of
the National Assembly in parliamentary
8. Which of the following statements is NOT a 9. In what year was the first general committee. Who am I?
requirement for the right to vote? You must… election held in Lower Canada?
a A petition
a be 18 years of age or older a 1867
b A nomination paper
b be a Canadian citizen b 1792
c A bill
c have been living in Québec for at c 1840
least six months
d A parliamentary committee document
d 1849
d be a salaried worker
12Inspiring a Desire to “ Voters in Training also provides
activities that focus on engagement
and getting involved in society
and the community: How can
”
Get Involved voting change things? How can
we go about changing certain
societal choices?
Every citizen, young and old alike, can play an active role in their
Fabien Gabillet,
community. There are many reasons to want to participate actively Secondary school history teacher,
in community life, and there are just as many different ways to do so. École Saint-Charles-Garnier
You may want to champion a specific cause, support an organization,
defend ideas that are important to you, and so on. Whatever your
motivation, getting involved is a good way to become an important
member of the society.
With Voters in Training, young people are invited to discover different
ways to engage in society as full-fledged citizens. They are encouraged
to think about their interests and the reasons why they would like to
become more socially and politically involved… and even to identify
their own involvement profile!
Involvement: A Foundation for the Future!
Did you know that spurring a young person’s sense of involvement can
have a positive impact on a school or youth organization? Young people
who are politically or socially engaged can help improve the world and
make a real difference. By taking action, they can also develop talents
Pop Question
and skills that will serve them well their whole lives long. Which of the following acts is a type
of involvement?
a) Voting
b) Running in an election as a candidate
TRY THE ACTIVITY What’s Your Involvement Profile? c) Taking part in public debates
Answer: e)
d) Signing a petition
e) All of the above
13Get the complete activity
What is your
ACTIVITY What’s Your engagement
profile?
questionnaire by participating
in the Voters in Training
Involvement Profile?
program starting on
May 15, 2018!
In this activity, young people are invited to identify
their engagement profile and familiarize themselves
with ways to get involved that work for them.
What is your engagement profile?
THE PHILANTHROPIST THE COMMUNICATOR THE SCHOLAR THE ADVOCATE
Your friends are lucky to have Able and witty, you set yourself Thanks to your great knowledge, Whether you have your mind
a person like you by their side! apart thanks to your leadership you are able to find original set on social justice, sustainable
You wear your heart on your and energetic personality. solutions to problems. You are development, protecting human
sleeve and are someone You are comfortable in front the go-to person for great ideas! rights or eradicating poverty,
people can always depend on. of an audience and you know Challenges don’t scare you. In fact, you can do great things in the
Involvement activities that call how to get attention to voice you see them as an opportunity name of a cause that’s important
on human relations and allow your opinion. Why not use to learn or a challenge to meet to you. You are a person of
you to experience quality communication skills to get by demonstrating how innovative conviction. It’s important for
moments with others particularly involved in your community? you can be. Did you know that you to connect with passionate
appeal to you – and with reason, This will give you an opportunity your specialized knowledge in people who share your values.
because you are a person who’s to help move a cause or project certain fields can get recognized It wouldn’t be surprising if
dedicated to helping, listening forward and to meet inspiring through your involvement? getting involved was already
and, most importantly, bringing people. With your ability to The world of involvement is on your agenda! If not, don’t
a bright light into people’s lives. communicate, involvement is filled with opportunities to hesitate to take that little step
Why not use your human a good way to make your mark, share knowledge, innovate and forward. You have all the
relations skills to get involved while also having the satisfaction broaden your knowledge. necessary qualities to step
and make a difference in the of contributing to improving up and advance a cause.
world around you? your community.
14Conclusion Sign Up Your School
or Youth Organization
Democracy! The more young people realize the importance of this
precious legacy, the better positioned they’ll be to make active use
Starting on May 15, 2018!
of it. To that end, Voters in Training was created as a citizenship To learn more about Voters in Training,
education program and a fun and educational way for school and visit the Democracy-Education
Zone section of electionsquebec.qc.ca
youth organization personnel to make young people more aware
and our Facebook page.
of the electoral process and the importance of the right to vote.
Voters in Training is also a wonderful opportunity to initiate
discussions with young people about current events and issues
relevant to elections and the future of our society.
The upcoming election period is the ideal time to
focus on democracy, starting this fall. Along with
the young participants, you’ll have fun getting to
know, understand and experience the many sides
of democracy!
15You can also read
