'IDEAS for a Better Canada' explores democracy from the ground up
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We live in an era of eroding democracy where polarization is increasingly fracturing our sense of a shared reality.
With another federal election approaching, there's a growing sense that our political system prioritizes short-term gains over the long-term health of our democracy.
To address this, the CBC program, IDEAS will host a series of cross-Canada discussions that focus on local solutions with the potential to inspire national change.
Moderated by Nahlah Ayed, the discussions will take place in Burlington (March 20), Charlottetown (March 26), Edmonton (April 1) and Nanaimo (April 3).
Local innovators/thinkers/storytellers in each community will come together for conversations that explore the next chapter of Canada's democracy.
The series is part of CBC Collab fund and in partnership with the Samara Centre for Democracy.
All events are free and open to the public.
March 20 | Burlington, Ontario
Your Library is Open (and Believes in Democracy)
Libraries are a target in the culture wars raging across the continent. Yet they define themselves as a place to give all people access "to the widest possible variety of expressive content." As upholders of intellectual freedom, can libraries remind Canadians what democracy is all about, and which values are still worth fighting for?
Join Nahlah Ayed's discussion with author Ira Wells (On Book Banning), librarians themselves, and a community audience at the Burlington Public Library.
March 26 | Charlottetown, PEI
Where Confederation Began, and Where Democracy Could Go
In an ideal democracy, every citizen has a voice. Critics of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system have long decried what they say is unfair representation in our halls of power. And for that and other reasons, voters are increasingly disengaged. As residents of Confederation's birthplace, Prince Edward Islanders have thought hard about the democratic exercise, engaging its citizens, and what can be done to reinvigorate our democracy.
Join Ideas host Nahlah Ayed in conversation about how we might get the most out of our parliamentary system.
April 1 | Edmonton, Alberta
Why can't we be friends?
In a politically polarized world, conversation across divides can go one of three ways: screaming from our silos, retreating into them, or patiently building bridges between them to allow for civil debate. From fostering deep empathy to role-playing games to re-defining community, we explore how to nurture healthier democracies by encouraging conversation.
Join Ideas host Nahlah Ayed as she hears from Edmontonians about how they make it work.
April 3 | Nanaimo, British Columbia
Do I count? A Canada that leaves no one behind
It's clear: our democracy is struggling to meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable. Cities like Nanaimo are dealing with a collision of crises: homelessness, lethal street drugs, and unaddressed mental health needs. As calls for more involuntary care increase, how does society balance a community's safety with the rights of individuals? How does the visibility of these crises affect our faith in governance? And are there new solutions to these seemingly solution-less problems?
Join Ideas host Nahlah Ayed for a discussion on the urgent challenges facing urban communities across Canada, and what these issues mean for the future of public policy and community well-being.
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