Civic participation

Civic participation means taking part in actions and decisions that directly benefit the community—and participating in these activities builds our sense of purpose and belonging.

Two volunteers work in a community vegetable garden.
A poll worker sitting at a desk hands a voter’s ballot to a voter.

Democratic engagement

Democratic engagement means actively taking part in the democratic process to shape the policies, decisions, and direction of our community. It ensures that governments and decision-makers remain responsive to the needs of all community members. [1]

Voter turnout in our community is consistently lowest for municipal elections
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Voter turnout in our community is consistently lowest for municipal elections

Decisions made at all levels of government—including local government—directly affect individuals and the community. When few people participate in local democracy, decisions may not be inclusive of the perspectives and interests of all community members. 

A line graph shows the average voter turnout in all ridings in Guelph and Wellington County for federal, provincial, and municipal elections from 2006 to 2022. For a full description of the graph, refer to the “Read graph as text” section.
The average voter turnout in all ridings in Guelph and Wellington County is consistently lowest for municipal elections. A line graph shows the average voter turnout in all ridings in Guelph and Wellington County for federal, provincial, and municipal elections from 2006 to 2022. The x-axis shows the year, and the y-axis shows the voter turnout. Municipal voter turnout is lowest in all years. Source: Association of Municipalities of Ontario; Elections Canada; Elections Ontario
A person sitting on a bean chair reading a storybook to a group of young children.

Volunteering

Volunteering means spending unpaid time doing something to benefit others. 

Volunteering may be formal or informal. Formal volunteering means providing a service on behalf of an organization, such as coaching a youth sports team or helping to organize a clothing closet at a community centre. Informal volunteering means helping someone on your own, such as picking up groceries for a friend or walking a neighbour’s child to school. 

Most people in Canada volunteer
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Most people in Canada volunteer

Volunteering benefits communities and individuals. By giving their time and expertise, people and organizations benefit from the services provided by volunteers. Depending on the volunteer activity, volunteers can gain new knowledge and skills and build connections with other people in their community. Volunteering regularly can also lead to greater life satisfaction and overall happiness. [1]

A bar graph shows the percentage of people in Canada age 15 years and older who volunteered in 2018. For a full description of the graph, refer to the “Read graph as text” section.
In 2018, nearly 4 in 5 Canadians age 15 years and older volunteered either formally or informally. A bar graph shows the percentage of people in Canada age 15 years and older who volunteered in 2018. The y-axis shows the type of volunteering, and the x-axis shows the percentage of people. The percentage of people who did any type of volunteering was 79%. Source: Statistics Canada
A bingo caller spins a bingo ball dispenser at a fundraising event.

Charitable giving

Charitable giving means donating money to charities and non-profit organizations. These organizations rely on donations to do work that benefits the community. 

Donations to registered charities can be claimed on tax returns.

Fewer taxfilers in our community are claiming charitable donations on their returns
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Fewer taxfilers in our community are claiming charitable donations on their returns

Financial strain and limited social connection may be contributing to the decline in charitable giving. With the increasing cost of living, many people have less money available to donate. The size of our social networks is also decreasing. When we have fewer personal connections, we tend to give less. [1]

A line graph shows the percentage of taxfilers in Guelph and Wellington County who claimed charitable donations on their tax return from 2010 to 2022. For a full description of the graph, refer to the “Read graph as text” section.
Since 2010, the proportion of taxfilers in Guelph and Wellington County who claimed donations on their tax return has been decreasing. A line graph shows the percentage of taxfilers in Guelph and Wellington County who claimed charitable donations on their tax return from 2010 to 2022. The x-axis shows the year, and the y-axis shows the percentage of taxfilers. The line has a consistent negative slope from 2010 to 2022. Source: Statistics Canada
Library books on a shelf.

References

  1. Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. (2020, January 2). Five principles for democratic engagement. Simon Fraser University. 
  1. Meier, S., & Stutzer, A. (2008). Is volunteering rewarding in itself? Economica, 75(297), 39–59. 
An open drawer in a card catalog.

Data sources

Association of Municipalities Ontario. (n.d.). Personal communication regarding the voter turnout of the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Ontario municipal elections. 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario. (2018). 2018 Ontario municipal elections – Ontario votes. 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario. (2022). 2022 Ontario municipal elections – Ontario votes.  

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Thirty-eighth general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Thirty-ninth general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Fortieth general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Forty-first general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Forty-second general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Forty-third general election. 

Elections Canada. (n.d.). Official voting results: Forty-fourth general election. 

Elections Ontario. (n.d.). Statistical summary by electoral district: 2007 general election. 

Elections Ontario. (n.d.). Statistical summary by electoral district: 2011 general election. 

Elections Ontario. (n.d.). Statistical summary by electoral district: 2014 general election. 

Elections Ontario. (n.d.). Statistical summary by electoral district: 2018 general election. 

Elections Ontario. (n.d.). Statistical summary by electoral district: 2022 general election.

Statistics Canada. (2021). Table 45-10-0039-01. Volunteer rate and average annual volunteer hours, by definition of volunteering and age group [Data table]. Retrieved July 16, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2012). Charitable donations, 2010. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2013). Charitable donations, 2011. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2014). Charitable donations, 2012. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2015). Charitable donations, 2013. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2016). Charitable donations, 2014. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2017). Charitable donations, 2015. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2018). Charitable donations, 2016. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2019). Charitable donations, 2017. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2020). Charitable donations, 2018. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2021). Charitable donations, 2019. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2022). Charitable donations, 2020. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2023). Charitable donations, 2021. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

Statistics Canada. (2024). Charitable donations, 2022. T1 Family File. Community Data Program [Distributor]. Retrieved September 3, 2024. 

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