8.4.1 Overview

Citizenship is an active process. Citizenship is something that people do. Citizenship involves taking action to make the world a better place. Democratic societies are founded on the idea that every individual has both rights and responsibilities to participate in that society. However, people do not always agree. Sometimes people's actions support the present situation, and sometimes the actions disagree with the way society operates.

Citizenship at local, national, and global levels has many aspects. We have both rights and responsibilities within the framework of our towns, cities, and provinces, and country.

Participation in the electoral process is both a right and a responsibility of local, provincial, and national citizenship. As voters in a democracy, adult citizens are the decision makers. They elect candidates to represent them at the town office or city hall, the provincial legislature, and the federal House of Commons. Citizens also run for office; they campaign for individuals or political parties. After being elected to power, elected officials make decisions on the behalf of voters. Decision-making in a democratic society involves negotiation, compromise, and consensus.

But what about global citizenship?

Global citizenship and the electoral process: No one votes for global leaders or global decisions. How can we participate in any kind of global choosing?

Vote wisely! Our provincial and federal leaders represent us on the international stage. Because we vote for them, we need to consider their global perspective when we choose them as our Canadian representatives. What is the foreign policy of the various political parties? What do they believe about global interactions? Do they believe transnational corporations should have unlimited power? Do they have a plan to deal with global warming? Do they promote international human rights? Do they want to see Indigenous rights protected?