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Newly elected Regional Councillor Rob Deutschmann has launched a new engagement series to connect with Waterloo region residents on topics important to our local community. The Virtual Community Townhall Series is the first of the engagement methods he intends to bring to the local community throughout his council term.
Host Quote
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“During my recent municipal campaign, I stated that I would like to continue with community engagement, to have discussions about issues of the day and any matters of concern to constituents. The Virtual Community Townhall Series is one effective way to reach out to as many as possible. Community engagement is important to demonstrate to people the relevance of municipal government in their lives and, hopefully, through a more engaged process, it will heighten the awareness of voters about the importance of good municipal government and encourage better participation, both in between and during elections. “
-Regional Councillor Rob Deutschmann |
The first segment of the virtual series, titled “LowVoter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy'', is set to take place Thursday January 26, 2023 online via zoom from 6:30 - 8 PM. This series opener includes a variety of guest speakers as well as time for participant input and group discussion.
Canadian voter turnout has been in a long decline since at least the 1960s. In a span of 13 months, Federal, Provincial, and Regional elections occurred in our region with turnouts of 62%, 45%, and 25% respectively.
While elections and voting are not the only way to engage with government, the decline is undeniable and we should examine the reasons behind it and the future consequences should it remain low. Our speakers will look at turnout from academic and practical perspectives, applying their years of experience, and engaging with the audience.
Guest speakers at this event include:
Additional information about each speaker is available alongside registration on Eventbrite, with media quotes found below. Registration is also available by emailing [email protected].
This event will be recorded and footage will be available for later viewing online on our YouTube channel. Updates are as well available by email following this event.
Canadian voter turnout has been in a long decline since at least the 1960s. In a span of 13 months, Federal, Provincial, and Regional elections occurred in our region with turnouts of 62%, 45%, and 25% respectively.
While elections and voting are not the only way to engage with government, the decline is undeniable and we should examine the reasons behind it and the future consequences should it remain low. Our speakers will look at turnout from academic and practical perspectives, applying their years of experience, and engaging with the audience.
Guest speakers at this event include:
- Melissa Bowman, Waterloo Region Yes In My Back Yard
- Jörg Broshek, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Sam Nabi, Hold The Line Waterloo Region
- Andrea Perrella, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University
- Matt Rodrigues, 2022 Regional Council Candidate - Kitchener
Additional information about each speaker is available alongside registration on Eventbrite, with media quotes found below. Registration is also available by emailing [email protected].
This event will be recorded and footage will be available for later viewing online on our YouTube channel. Updates are as well available by email following this event.
Speaker Quotes
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“Voter turnout is entwined with community engagement. If we offer community engagement opportunities when it is truly beneficial to the process, identify peoples’ actual behaviour, and collect and use demographic data, I am hopeful that will bring us closer to the quality community engagement we need. Ideally, that will result in increased voter turnout as well.”
- Melissa Bowman, Waterloo Region Yes In My Back Yard “Declining voter turnout is a symptom of a deeper problem: A growing share of the population is not willing – or not able - to engage in key practices of democratic self-government. Widening representation gaps perpetuate democratic deficits. This is a multifaceted challenge and won’t be easy to fix in the short term. It is therefore crucial to create a space for debate through meaningful community engagement, instead of ignoring the problem and doing business as usual.” -Jörg Broschek, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University Of all the ways people can engage in government, voting is truly the most impactful. How people vote translates directly into who ends up governing, and what issues are prioritized. An election is where the rubber hits the road. -Andrea Perrella, Associate Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University |