SAMARA'S 2017 DEMOCRACY 360 THE SECOND REPORT CARD ON HOW CANADIANS COMMUNICATE, PARTICIPATE AND LEAD IN POLITICS TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 THE REPORT CARD 10 THE NEXT 150+ 17 THE STORY 5 COMMUNICATION 10 What is democratic infrastructure? 6 Discussion 11 BUILDING CANADA'S DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE NEXT 150+ YEARS 17 1 Civic education, both in and beyond the classroom 17 Satisfied with a B- for Canadian democracy? Canada's democratic pot holes 6 Contact 11 PARTICIPATION 12 Voter turnout 8 12 Formal political engagement 13 Civic engagement and activism 13 LEADERSHIP 14 2 Meaningful consultation of the public by MPs 19 3 Civility in political discourse 19 4 Empowered representatives 20 Performance 14 5 Increased diversity in representation 21 Trust 15 CONCLUSION 21 Diversity 15 APPENDIX 22 METHODOLOGY 37 ENDNOTES 38 THANK YOU 38 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY B2017 C 2015 Samara Canada's second edition of the Democracy 360 is a made-in-Canada report card on the state of Canada's democracy. Built on the understanding that democracy is about more than just casting a ballot every four years, the report card examines the complex relationship between citizens and political leadership and how they interact, especially between elections. It measures three areas essential to a healthy democracy: communication, participation and political leadership. KEY FINDINGS OVERALL ALL OVER 54% Canada's democra- Communication At 68%, voter Participation in Canadians award- Diversity of rep- cy earned a B-, an between Cana- turnout was up 7 formal political ed above passing resentation in the improvement from dians and their percentage points, activities, such grades to MPs and House of Com- its C in 2015. leaders increased. the highest it's as donating to a political parties on mons continues to been since 1993. campaign, was their core jobs. be a challenge. still low. 2 The year 2017 is Canada's sesquicentennial year. This is a moment that encourages reflection about Canada's past, present and future--and what legacy from 2017 should shape the next 150 years. In 1967, as the country turned 100 years old, the federal government invested heavily in physical infrastructure--such as theatres and arenas--for the public's benefit. Samara believes 2017 calls for a different type of investment: in our democratic infrastructure. While the 360 doesn't show failing grades, there are signs from abroad that democracy is fragile, with the number of "full democracies" in decline. With that in mind, Canadians should consider investing in education and an improved political culture in order to strengthen our democracy. More importantly, a country as rich in resources and people should be striving for "exceeds expectations" rather than the "meets expectations" of a B-. How might Canadian democracy receive its first A? A country as rich in resources and people should be striving for "exceeds expectations" rather than "meets expectations." SAMARA'S FIVE IDEAS FOR STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE: 1 CIVIC EDUCATION, IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Good civic education inspires and empowers. In schools, national, coordinated investments should be made into civics education, at every grade level, to inspire active and informed citizens. Ongoing civic education should be a priority in workplaces and community organizations. 2 MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC BY MPS Meaningful consultation pays dividends in connecting citizens to politics, and in solving Canada's most complex problems. MPs need training, guidance and nonpartisan support on how to effectively and meaningfully consult their constituents. 3 3 INCREASED CIVILITY IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE Canada's current political culture too often risks turning citizens off, rather than inspiring their involvement. Accusations, online attacks and unwillingness to compromise have become embedded in the culture. Everyone involved in politics--from citizens, to leaders, to media outlets--needs to create a more constructive and welcoming atmosphere. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE? Do you agree or disagree? Where would you choose to invest in civic infrastructure? Let us know on Twitter (SamaraCda) or 4 EMPOWERED REPRESENTATIVES Facebook (Samara Canada). Striking a healthy balance of power between parties, party leaders and MPs is at the heart of meaningful and effective Parliament. MPs require the time and autonomy to study legislation and hold government to account, and cross-partisan committees should be empowered and respected. 5 INCREASED DIVERSITY IN REPRESENTATION Power that is diffuse, representative and diverse can lead to solutions that are innovative and well-suited to the population served. Ensuring a diverse House requires the commitment of parties and electoral district associations as well as party leaders. 4 THE STORY "If nothing else positive comes out of 2016, let us at least find a new determination to fight for a way of life, and a system of government, that we can never take for granted." --Globe and Mail editorial, December 30, 2016 Two years ago, Samara Canada released its first Democracy 360, a made-inCanada report card on democracy. Built on the understanding that democracy is about more than just casting a ballot every four years, the report examined the complex relationship between citizens and political leadership, and especially how they interact between elections. The Democracy 360 goes beyond traditional measures of voter turnout and examines measurable indicators on three areas essential to a healthy democracy: communication, participation and political leadership. Much has changed in the two years since the inaugural report card, both in Canada, which saw an election that brought a new party to power, and internationally, where there has been unprecedented democratic upheaval in many countries. Canada's 150th birthday invites reflection on Canada's past, present and future. Canada's 150th birthday invites reflection on Canada's past, present and future--and what legacy from 2017 should shape the future of the country. Instead of the physical infrastructure investments of 1967, Samara believes 2017 calls for another meaningful investment: in our democratic infrastructure. 5 WHAT IS DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE? Democratic infrastructure is a mix of laws and institutions, as well as the unwritten political norms and culture that allow us to work together as citizens to make decisions. One hundred and fifty years since Confederation, are Canadians content with ENGAGE WITH SAMARA It's Canada's sesquicentennial and we want to hear from you! How is democracy doing in how their democratic institutions and culture operate? Ensuring that the coun- your community? What letter try has the "infrastructure" in place to make good decisions in the 21st century grade would you award to will be more fundamental to Canada's success than any single policy question. Thus, asking Canadians about the health of their democracy has never been more important. Canada's democracy? Check out Samara's interactive online tool at samaracanada.com. While Canada consistently ranks in the top 10 countries in the world on headline indices that measure freedom and democracy, these indices do not give a complete picture of Canada's democracy. Voter turnout is affected by many things good and bad, and widespread political corruption is not an issue in Canada the way it is in many countries. This is why the Democracy 360 report card goes deeper, measuring 19 indicators and 38 sub-indicators. Together, these indicators provide a comprehensive picture of how Canadians feel about their democracy. To prompt reflection and discussion, Samara has awarded an overall letter grade to Canada's democracy, as well as a letter grade for each of the three areas (see page 10). At the end of this report card, we suggest five investments that should be made in Canada's democratic infrastructure to build a better country and to guard against decay. 71 % of Canadians say they are satisfied with how democracy works in Canada SATISFIED WITH A "B-" FOR CANADIAN DEMOCRACY? Many observers, both in Canada and internationally, believe Canada has uniquely preserved "liberal democratic" values. According to this report card, most Canadians agree, with 71% of them saying they are "fairly satisfied" or "very satisfied" with "how democracy works in Canada." Moreover, this is 6 percentage points higher than the first report card in 2015. 6 Our country has built a democratic infrastructure with a solid foundation of laws and rules that protect the integrity of democratic institutions and processes. For example, Elections Canada, an independent and nonpartisan GERRYMANDERING federal agency, oversees federal elections, ensuring eligible Canadians have Dividing a geographic space into ridings to give one the opportunity to vote and be counted under the same rules. Additionally, independent electoral boundary commissions insulate changes to riding boundaries from partisan gerrymandering. Restrictive fundraising rules and political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating transparency of donations reduce the influence of money in politics, federally the voting strength of the and in many provinces. These safeguards may make it easier for Canadians opposition in as few to be confident in, and satisfied with, their democracy. But, as other countries' districts as possible. recent experiences suggest, it is a mistake to believe Canada's democracy is immune from challenges. DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS AROUND THE WORLD Based on the results of its 2016 Democracy Index, the Economist Intelligence Unit considers the world to be in the midst of a "democratic recession," where the number of full democracies is in decline.1 Indeed the US was flagged as being a "flawed democracy" for the first time. While Canada is still considered a full democracy,2 democracy is not something to take for granted. According to Freedom House, an independent organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world, the world is in the midst of a 10-year decline in global freedom.3 In its most recent report on political rights and civil liberties, Freedom House concluded, "Over the last decade, the most significant global reversals have been in freedom of expression and the rule of law."4 In 2011, the Arab Spring seemed to promise Arab countries would be the next shining lights of democracy. Today, these hopes have been extinguished as autocratic regimes curtail rights in these countries. Countries with long traditions of liberal democracy, such as those in Europe, are also not safe from creeping authoritarianism. In the United States, the new president has demonstrated a troubling disregard for democratic norms. 7 Despite Canada's relative strength as a democracy, it has not and still does not always serve its citizens equally. Canadian women were excluded from the democratic process for decades. Canadians of Japanese descent were disenfranchised. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a sobering reminder of how Canada's democracy failed its First Nations, Inuit and Metis people. Our democracy has flaws, and it is very important to reflect on them in Our democracy has flaws, and it is very important to reflect on them in this sesquicentennial year. this sesquicentennial year. CANADA'S DEMOCRATIC POT HOLES While democracy in Canada seems to be working well for most Canadians, this does not provide grounds for complacency. While 88% of Canadians are involved in their communities, only 38% devote themselves to formal political activities, and a small subset of disengaged Canadians are "very dissatisfied" with democracy. In addition, there are worrying trends in the Canadian political climate. Decades of centralization of power in first ministers' offices and premiers' offices make it more difficult for elected MPs to hold government to account. Omnibus bills and time allocation have made the scrutiny of bills and budgets more difficult. In 2008, professor Donald Savoie warned, "The relationship among Parliament, the prime minister, ministers and public servants is in need of repair.... Those with the power to introduce change for the better are reluctant to do so because they enjoy being able to wield tremendous power."5 Nine years later, little has changed. At the same time, the growing "celebritization" of political leaders in Canada and internationally reduces public scrutiny of their policies. In Brand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control, Alex Marland, a professor of political science at Memorial University, describes how citizens have become more interested in political leaders' personal lives than their policies. "[T]he government is facing market pressures to deliver 88 38 While % of Canadians are involved in their communities, only % devote themselves to formal political activities information in an entertaining manner, such as through emphasizing personalities and pop culture."6 The media plays a vital role in educating and informing the public so they can hold government to account. However the Public Policy Forum (PPF), an 8 independent, non-profit think tank, estimates one-third of journalism jobs have been lost in the past six years, reducing the media's ability to produce public affairs journalism. In the 2017 report "The Shattered Mirror: News, Democracy and Trust in the Digital Age," PPF demonstrated how a weakened media landscape leads to a weakened democracy.7 "Liberal democracy has overcome many crises in its relatively short history. But its capacity to do so has lulled both the rulers and the ruled in Western societies into a state of complacency," said Canadian scholar Jennifer Welsh in her 2016 book The Return of History.8 David Frum, a Canadian-American political commentator, put it more bluntly: "No one should be self-congratulatory. Everyone should worry,"9 including Canadians. HOW DID SAMARA BUILD THE DEMOCRACY 360? The Democracy 360 report card brings together a number of data sources: public opinion data was drawn from the Samara Citizens' Survey, which was conducted in English and French using an online sample of 4,003 Canadian residents over 18 years of age living in ten provinces. Data was collected between September 23 and October 6, 2016. Other data sources include Elections Canada, the House of Commons and independent social media analysis. For complete methodology, visit samaracanada.com. The inaugural Democracy 360 report card in 2015 captured public opinion near the end of the Conservatives' three terms in office with an election in sight, while this second report card examines public opinion in the first year of the new federal Liberal government. It covers Canadians' experiences and activities in a 12-month period including the 2015 federal election campaign, the election itself and the first year of the new government. There were changes at the provincial level too; in 2016, Manitoba and Yukon elected new governments, while the governments of Alberta, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland were in their first year of governing. Many Canadians also closely followed another political contest: the American presidential election. Observing the run-up to the presidential race in the United States may have influenced how Canadians thought of their own leaders. 9 THE REPORT CARD COMMUNICATION THE ASPIRATION: Canadians who talk about politics and policy with greater understanding and Members of Parliament who serve as reliable, vibrant, twoway links between citizens and government. Canadians are generally more interested in talking about politics than in the previous report card, and politicians have reached out to talk to a majority of them. This outreach may not be consistent or conducted in a way that resonates with all Canadians. Yet, it provides an opportunity for Canadians to engage with politics and hear others' political perspectives. MPs have in- DISCUSSION Discussion, already a strength of Canada's democracy in the previous report card, continued to improve. Two-thirds of Canadians (67%) reported having a discussion about politics in the previous 12-month period, up 6 percentage points from before. Canadians' preferred way to discuss politics remains face-toface or on the phone (54% compared to 34% for email or text message). An increasing number of Canadians follow a politician B+ 2017 creasingly tuned into social media. B 2015 ATION COMMUNIC TION NICA U M COM on social media (34%), up from 23%, perhaps because of the 10 investment many candidates made in their digital activities during the 2015 election. CONTACT Even during an election year, when we expected to see a spike in reported contact, only 63% of Canadians reported being contacted by a party, candidate or MP, which is unchanged from the first report card. Only 32% of Canadians reported contacting an elected official themselves. In a significant change from two years ago, MPs have fully embraced social media as a way to connect with constituents. All but one MP (99.7%) is present 32 Only % of Canadians reported contacting an elected official themselves on Facebook, 99% of MPs are on Twitter, 88% are on YouTube, and 56% are on Instagram. A handful of MPs are even experimenting with Snapchat. This report card saw fewer MPs sending "householders," the paper pamphlets delivered to all households in a riding and paid for through the House of Commons. While 98% of MPs sent householders in the 2015 report card, this report card sees only 90% of MPs doing so. It is possible that MPs see social media as a better way to connect with Canadians, yet householders can be a way for MPs to reach all constituents' homes, particularly those who are not very active online. For MPs who choose to use them to communicate about policy in a substantive way, householders can be a way to directly inform constituents about what is happening in Ottawa without the filter of the party or the media. In a significant change from two years ago, MPs have fully embraced social media as a way to connect with constituents. 11 PARTICIPATION THE ASPIRATION: Citizens who are more politically engaged-- at the ballot box and between elections--and who feel invited and compelled to put their time and energy into politics to effect change. The participation score went up modestly because of high voter turnout in the 2015 general election. But that turnout number did not translate into increased engagement in other areas of political life. While Canadians give a lot to their communities, even in an election year they are still not participating much in formal political life. VOTER TURNOUT Voter turnout is often considered the most important way citizens engage with politics. For this reason, declining voter turnout over the last thirty years--largely driven by a falling youth turnout--has been a significant concern. The 2015 federal election saw a reversal of this trend, including among youth. Voter turnout rose to 68%, 7 percentage points higher than the 2011 election, and the highest turnout since 1993. Among Canadians aged 18 to 24, voter turnout increased by an incredible 18 percentage points, with 57% of young people having their voices heard. Turnout among Canadians aged 25 to 34 also increased by 12 percentage points, reaching 57%. Encouragingly, the gap between the age cohort with the highest turnout (Canadians aged 65 to 74) and the cohort with the lowest (Canadians aged 18 to 24) lowered from 36 points to 22. There is no doubt this rise in turnout, particularly among young Canadians, is good news. Yet, it remains to be seen whether this is the beginning of a lasting trend, or whether turnout will decline C 2015 C+ 2017 PATION PARTICI TION A P I C TI PAR in the next election. 12 FORMAL POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT Surprisingly, higher voter turnout and discussion did not translate into greater participation in other formal political activities. Few Canadians participated in a political activity, such as attending a political meeting (30%) or donating to a candidate or party (19%). Currently, only 8% of Canadians say they are a member of a party, which means it is a very select few who have a direct hand in shaping formal politics in Canada. It seems many Canadians, even those who are politically engaged, still do not see party politics as their preferred way to engage in civic life. It is possible the low rates of formal political involvement are because of the partisan nature of formal political activities. Perhaps Canadians are unwilling to jump aboard a partisan ship, whether in an election year or not. In this, Canadians miss significant opportunities to shape democracy in Canada. Indeed, the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc Quebecois are going As party members choose their new leaders, they will also choose the direction of their parties, which will shape Canadian politics. through a period of change: As they choose their new leaders, they will also choose the direction of their parties, which will shape Canadian politics. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVISM If formal politics continued to turn Canadians off, that was not the case in civic engagement more broadly. Many more Canadians were engaged in community activities than were engaged in formal political activities. A robust 88% of Canadians participated in at least one civic engagement activity, a 4 percentage point increase from the previous report card; Whether donating to charity (84%), volunteering for a charitable cause (59%), or working with others to solve a community problem (46%), Canadians are deeply involved in their communities. The number of Canadians who participated in at least one of three activism activities declined from 69% to 68%. Participation in protests declined by 1 percentage point and signing a petition declined by 5 percentage points, which may correspond with the overall uptick in Canadians' general feelings of satisfaction with their democracy. However, Canadians boycotted more (from 37% to 40%). 13 LEADERSHIP THE ASPIRATION: Political leadership that operates in ways that are more responsive, transparent and inclusive, with Members of Parliament and political parties that are less focused on winning and more collaborative in their decision-making. Canadians' satisfaction with the performance of elected leaders and parties went up. There are still opportunities for diversifying representation of Canadians in the House of Commons. PERFORMANCE Canadians are generally more pleased with the leadership of their MPs and political parties than in the inaugural report card, though the grades awarded are still very low. Canadians believed MPs did a better job in all their core roles, including representing their constituents (53%) and the views of their party (63%), holding the government to account (50%), and debating and voting on issues in the House of Commons (56%). Notably, the highest scores still go to MPs' representation of their parties, rather than their important legislative work. Why is the work around Parliament given such poor marks? Can this work be made more approachable, understandable and constructive so that Canadians award higher marks here. Even more extraordinary than the uptick seen by MPs was the 9 percentage point rise in approval ratings for political parties, from 48% to 57%. Parties performed better on a wide range of functions, from hearing ideas from party members (55%), to reaching out to Canadians so their views could be represented (53%), to coming up with new policy ideas (53%). Canadians, during an election period, gave political parties a 57% grade on recruiting candidates and competing in elections--a 7 percentage point increase from the 2015 Democracy 360. Canadians were also happier with efforts to D 2015 C 2017 LEADERSHIP SHIP R E D LEA encourage people to vote, giving parties a 66% on this indicator. 14 TRUST Trust--the "glue" of politics--has largely been in decline over the past 30 years across the world. Some of this shift is attributable to the erosion of blind trust in officials, which is actually positive as such trust is subject to abuse. Yet, political leaders still need some public trust for democracy to succeed. In this report card, 47% of Canadians trust both MPs and political parties "to do what's right," a 7 percentage point increase for MPs and a 5 percentage point increase for parties. While this is positive, as it demonstrates trust need not track downwards forever, more than half of Canadians do not trust political actors, which is an important place for improvement. There may be reason for skepticism as to how sustainable this increased level of trust will be. Often, with new governments there's a "honeymoon" period where trust is high, but as a government's tenure wears on, trust generally Trust that is built on a firm foundation of openness and transparency, by many parties and successive governments, might avoid these peaks and valleys. declines. Trust that is built on a firm foundation of openness and transparency, by many parties and successive governments, might avoid these peaks and valleys. DIVERSITY Having political leaders look like their constituents is important for allowing constituents to see themselves in politics and imagine a time when they might put themselves forward for office. As well, diverse viewpoints in the House can lead to innovative thinking. While our current Cabinet was selected to be more reflective of the Canadian 4 Only % of MPs in the 41st population, Parliament generally, with 74% men, still has a long way to go. Parliament are aged 18 Women represent half of Canada's population, but they are only 26% of its to 30, a cohort that MPs. Visible minorities are better represented--they make up 17% of MPs and 19% of the population. Indigenous MPs make up 3% of the House and 4% of the population. In terms of representation of the youngest cohort of voters Canadians, representation has lost ground since 2015. Only 4% of MPs in the 41st Parliament are aged 18 to 30, a cohort that comprises 17% of the Canadian population. 17 comprises % of the population 15 While Canada has fewer financial and institutional barriers to running for office than many other countries, and Parliament is certainly doing better than in 1867 when it was made up exclusively of white men, more improvement is needed to ensure Canada's seats of power reflect the diversity of its people. 16 THE NEXT 150+ BUILDING CANADA'S DEMOCRATIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE NEXT 150+ YEARS For Canada's 100th birthday, the federal government invested heavily in physical infrastructure across the country--many arenas are adorned with Canada's Centennial logo to this day. These physical spaces were a legacy that encouraged Canadians to come together and build community. Fifty years later, in 2017, this sesquicentennial year calls for a renewed investment in our democratic infrastructure. This may be less tangible than the physical kind, but it remains just as vital to the success of Canada. While the 360 doesn't show failing grades, there are signs from abroad and within Canada that democracy is fragile and requires everyday attention. This sesquicentennial year calls for a renewed investment in our democratic infrastructure. More importantly, a country as rich in resources and people as Canada should strive for "exceeds expectations" rather than "meets expectations," in report card parlance. How might Canadians go from Cs and Bs to As? Here are five suggested answers: 1 CIVIC EDUCATION, BOTH IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Politics functions like the systems that exist under a city: the location of water pipes and power cables is known only to a few. When approaching politics, Canadians need a map of the underground before they start digging. In other words, Canada needs to create a system where everyone gets a thorough civics education. On top of increased civic education, Canada needs to address the very real barrier of low motivation. Before anyone considers investing time and energy 17 into a cause, they must be motivated to do so. As Samara has shown in previous research,10 engaging unsuccessfully with an opaque bureaucracy can be off-putting for many. In schools, national, coordinated investments should be made in civics education, at every grade level, to inspire active and informed citizens. But this education around how politics works cannot end with high school graduation. Decisions made by politicians and government affect Canadians every day, and when they don't understand how decisions are made and how to make the political process work for them, their lives are made poorer. But how can people outside of schools be reached? It's much harder. Workplaces could provide in-work training and support around civic education and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Some of this work has been When Canadians don't understand how decisions are made and how to make the political process work for them, their lives are made poorer. done by labour unions in the past, but with unionization rates falling steadily, new efforts are needed. The media plays an important role in informing Canadians about government, so that citizens can hold government to account. Yet, some argue that the decline of media outlets and the scarcity of journalists may make it more difficult to provide substantive coverage of policy issues, even as increased access to entertainment media makes it harder than ever to capture Canadians' attention. It is equally critical that political leaders themselves consider how they can contribute to Canadians' civic knowledge or detract from it. Politicians need to COMMUNICATION begin to explain policy simply and without toxic partisanship. Political parties Canadians who talk about can educate and include Canadians in policy development at the grassroots politics and policy with greater level. Additionally, community-based organizations, including associations, clubs and even the local YMCA, can reinforce learning by bringing political leaders to speak, educating first-time and reluctant voters, and bringing groups togeth- understanding and Members of Parliament who serve as reliable, vibrant, two-way links between citizens and government. er to advocate for causes of concern to their community. For newcomers, community organizations and settlement agencies can take an active role in explaining how they can contribute to Canada's political culture by knowing who their representatives are, by joining a political party or even running for office themselves. 18 2 MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC BY MPS As representatives, MPs have a unique ability to bring constituents' attention to important public issues and to solicit their input. MPs can host information sessions, consultations for citizen input, or issue campaigns. Too often, efforts like town halls feel underwhelming at best, or dominated by "usual suspects" at worse. Robust consultation by MPs is still in its infancy. MPs do not enter Parliament as experts at consultation and, indeed, they don't always have the authority to enact what they hear. They need training, guidance and nonpartisan support PARTICIPATION Citizens who are more politically engaged--at the ballot box and between elections--and who feel invited and compelled to put their time and energy into politics to effect change. on how to effectively and meaningfully consult their constituents. Consultations are not easy to do: they raise expectations and they don't typically result in consensus. But doing them right is an investment in our democratic infrastructure that could pay dividends in connecting citizens to politics, and in solving Canada's most complex problems--something that cannot be done by government alone. 3 CIVILITY IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE Canada's current political culture too often risks turning citizens off, rather than inspiring their involvement. Accusations, online attacks and unwillingness to compromise have become embedded in the culture, such that only those with the skin of a rhino are willing to put themselves forward for public office. While everyone has a role in encouraging civil political discourse--journalists can cover politics as though it's a realm for change; citizens can discourage bad behaviour in MPs and each other--MPs and parties can take the lead by modelling the communication that is acceptable in the public sphere. Personal attacks and aggressive antagonism between political leaders sends a message that throwing mud is what politics is all about. MPs can hold themselves to a higher standard during House of Commons debates, scrums, media interviews and social media engagement. Samara's research showed that 69% of MPs believe heckling is a problem in the House of Commons.11 Parties can opt into a standard of "truth in advertising" such that they don't denigrate the entire political class. And last but not least, when 19 something goes wrong, even if they aren't personally responsible, political leaders can engage in that most Canadian of activities and just say "sorry." 4 EMPOWERED REPRESENTATIVES While Canada's democracy means each Canadian has a representative in the House, the reality is that power has become more centralized within the offices of the party leaders, and especially the prime minister. Only a small majority (54%) of Canadians agree the work and decisions of MPs influence the direction of the country. There are real risks when decision-making power ends up concentrated in the hands of a few. Politics becomes less transparent, less open to ideas, and ultimately less responsive to Canadians' needs, even if it may be more efficient in the short term. Striking a healthy balance of power between parties, LEADERSHIP Political leadership that operates in ways that are more responsive, transparent and inclusive, with Members of Parliament and political parties that are less focused on winning and more collaborative in their decision-making. party leaders and MPs is at the heart of meaningful and effective Parliament. What would empowered representatives look like? MPs would have the time and autonomy to study legislation and hold government to account. (In this report, MPs' performance on "holding government to account and watching how they spend money" received the lowest marks.) It would also mean that the work of cross-partisan committees are empowered and respected. There would be fewer whipped votes and more chances for MPs to vote against their party, when they choose. Opportunities for systematic review and renewal of Parliament's rules and structures that shape the ability of MPs to exercise influence and accountability don't arise all that frequently. The most recent, comprehensive efforts to study and recommend changes occurred last in 2003 and, before that, in 1985. The Liberal Government in March 2017 has asked an existing committee of MPs to consider a broad suite of procedural reforms. This review is well worth undertaking, particularly if the committee studying it can maintain a spirit of multi-partisan independence that prioritizes what is best for Parliament, and not what's best for the Government or the Opposition. An even bolder study in 2017 would consider examining the role of political parties, that enjoy limited oversight despite their central role in Canada's democracy and the public subsidies they receive. 20 5 INCREASED DIVERSITY IN REPRESENTATION Power that is diffuse and diverse can lead to solutions that are innovative and well-suited to the population served. That diversity begins with who is in the House. Canada's first House of Commons was made up of 180 white men. Over the last 150 years, it has evolved to include women, visible minorities, MPs as young as 19 and Indigenous peoples. However, the data shows that there is still a long way to go. Ensuring a diverse House requires the commitment of parties and electoral district associations as well as party leaders. These groups have an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure that 2019 features candidates who look like Canada. Improved civility in the House and some power sharing will also go a long way towards making Parliament a place where more people feel comfortable and want to work. CONCLUSION As Jennifer Welsh asserted in the 2016 CBC Massey Lecture, "... [we should] remember that our own liberal democratic society was not inevitable--that it required sacrifice, compromise, and leadership--and that we must all, as individuals, take more active role in its preservation and growth."12 Can Canada build a better democracy? One that is representative, transparent and consultative? Yes! However, unlike physical infrastructure, there is no chief planner to take charge. Renewing our democratic infrastructure will be a messy, collaborative process involving both citizens and political leaders. It will take citizens to demand change and responsive leaders to make it happen. Our democracy can only be improved when Canadians are engaged to build a better political system--and a better Canada--for everyone. 21 SAMARA'S 2017 DEMOCRACY 360: APPENDIX SATISFACTION WITH DEMOCRACY Percentage of Canadians reporting that they are "very" or "fairly" satisfied with democracy. National 2014 65% 2016 71% Change 6 Regional Atlantic 76% Quebec 69% Ontario 70% Man/Sask 80% Alberta 69% BC 72% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey POLITICS MATTERS EVERY DAY Percentage of Canadians reporting that decisions made by elected officials affect them "every day". National 2014 31% 2016 29% Change -2 Regional Atlantic 33% Quebec 17% Ontario 34% Man/Sask 27% Alberta 36% BC 30% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey COMMUNICATION CANADIANS DISCUSS POLITICS The percentage of Canadians who reported having a discussion about politics in the previous 12 months: via email or text message, via reposting or commenting online, face to face or on the phone, by following a politician on social media or by following a political group on social media. National 2014 61% 2016 67% Change 6 22 Discuss via email or text message: National 2014 31% 2016 34% Change 3 Regional Atlantic 29% Quebec 30% Ontario 37% Man/Sask 29% Alberta 36% BC 35% Man/Sask 35% Alberta 36% BC 33% Man/Sask 56% Alberta 57% BC 49% Man/Sask 30% Alberta 35% BC 30% Circulate report or comment: National 2014 35% 2016 33% Change -2 Regional Atlantic 32% Quebec 31% Ontario 34% Discuss face-to-face or on the phone: National 2014 52% 2016 54% Change 2 Regional Atlantic 55% Quebec 51% Ontario 56% Follow a politician on social media: National 2014 23% 2016 34% Change 11 Regional Atlantic 35% Quebec 34% Ontario 36% 23 Follow a political group on social media: National 2014 17% 2016 21% Change 4 Regional Atlantic 17% Quebec 21% Ontario 22% Man/Sask 14% Alberta 21% BC 19% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey CANADIANS CONTACT POLITICAL LEADERSHIP The percentage of Canadians who report having contacted an elected official in the last year. National 2014 31% 2016 32% Change 1 Regional Atlantic 35% Quebec 26% Ontario 35% Man/Sask 29% Alberta 32% BC 35% Alberta 57% BC 64% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey POLITICAL LEADERS CONTACT CANADIANS The percentage of Canadians who report contact by party, candidate or MP. National 2014 63% 2016 63% Change 0 Regional Atlantic 62% Quebec 68% Ontario 61% Man/Sask 66% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey 24 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SEND HOUSEHOLDERS 2015 98% 2017 90% Change -8 Source: House of Commons Records MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA The average percentage of Members of Parliament using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. 2014 85% 2017 86% Change 1 Instagram (new for 2017): Facebook: 2014 89% 2017 * 99% Change 10 2017 56% * All MPs, but one, use Facebook Twitter: Snapchat (not included in indicator): 2014 84% 2017 99% Change 15 2014 83% 2017 88% Change 5 2017 2% Youtube: Source: Full Duplex PARTICIPATION VOTER TURNOUT The percentage of Canadians that voted in federal elections. National 2011 61% 2015 68% Change 7 25 Provincial Province YK NT NU BC AB SK MB ON QC NL NB PEI NS 2011 63% 47% 39% 56% 52% 60% 56% 58% 64% 53% 66% 74% 61% 2015 74% 61% 53% 68% 65% 68% 66% 64% 67% 60% 73% 80% 71% Change 11 14 14 12 13 8 10 6 3 7 7 6 10 Source: Elections Canada OLD AND YOUNG VOTERS' GAP The gap between the cohort with the highest turnout (ages 65-74) and the lowest (ages 18-24). 2011 36% Gap 2015 22% Change -14 2015 57% 57% 62% 67% 74% 79% 67% Change 18 12 7 2 2 4 7 Voter Turnout By Age Age 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ 2011 39% 45% 55% 65% 72% 75% 60% Source: Elections Canada 26 RATES OF FORMAL ENGAGEMENT The percentage of Canadians who participated in at least one formal political activity in the previous 12 months: were a member of a party, attended a political meeting, donated to a candidate or party, volunteered for candidate or campaign or gave a political speech in public. National 2014 36% 2016 38% Change 2 Regional Atlantic 39% Quebec 33% Ontario 37% Man/Sask 35% Alberta 41% BC 45% Man/Sask 6% Alberta 13% BC 11% Man/Sask 29% Alberta 33% BC 35% Man/Sask 18% Alberta 26% BC 26% Member of a party: National 2014 9% 2016 8% Change -1 Regional Atlantic 5% Quebec 6% Ontario 8% Attended a political meeting: National 2014 29% 2016 30% Change 1 Regional Atlantic 32% Quebec 27% Ontario 30% Donated to a candidate or party: National 2014 19% 2016 19% Change 0 Regional Atlantic 18% Quebec 15% Ontario 17% 27 Volunteered for candidate or campaign: National 2014 17% 2016 15% Change -2 Regional Atlantic 16% Quebec 14% Ontario 15% Man/Sask 15% Alberta 16% BC 16% Man/Sask 6% Alberta 11% BC 7% Gave political speech in public: National 2014 9% 2016 9% Change 0 Regional Atlantic 8% Quebec 9% Ontario 10% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey RATES OF ACTIVISM The percentage of Canadians who participated in at least one form of activism in the previous 12 months: signed a petition, boy/buycotted or protested/demonstrated. National 2014 69% 2016 68% Change -1 Regional Atlantic 64% Quebec 69% Ontario 68% Man/Sask 64% Alberta 63% BC 72% Man/Sask 52% Alberta 55% BC 64% Signed a petition: National 2014 64% 2016 59% Change -5 Regional Atlantic 55% Quebec 59% Ontario 60% 28 Boycotted or Buycotted: National 2014 37% 2016 40% Change 3 Regional Atlantic 35% Quebec 42% Ontario 40% Man/Sask 36% Alberta 40% BC 41% Man/Sask 19% Alberta 19% BC 18% Protested or demonstrated: National 2014 22% 2016 21% Change -1 Regional Atlantic 20% Quebec 23% Ontario 23% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey RATES OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT The percentage of Canadians who participated in at least one civic engagement activity in the previous 12 months: donated to a charity, volunteered for a charitable cause, been active in a group or organization or worked with others to solve a community problem National 2014 84% 2016 88% Change 4 Regional Atlantic 93% Quebec 85% Ontario 89% Man/Sask 90% Alberta 88% BC 90% Man/Sask 88% Alberta 85% BC 85% Donated to a charity: National 2014 78% 2016 84% Change 6 Regional Atlantic 89% Quebec 79% Ontario 84% 29 Volunteered for a charitable cause: National 2014 53% 2016 59% Change 6 Regional Atlantic 60% Quebec 51% Ontario 60% Man/Sask 63% Alberta 65% BC 64% Man/Sask 43% Alberta 46% BC 43% Man/Sask 48% Alberta 51% BC 50% Been active in a group or organization: National 2014 38% 2016 41% Change 3 Regional Atlantic 45% Quebec 29% Ontario 45% Worked with others to solve a community problem: National 2014 40% 2016 46% Change 6 Regional Atlantic 45% Quebec 42% Ontario 45% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey LEADERSHIP DIVERSITY IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS A score out of 100 that reflects the average of how well five different Canadian demographic groups are reflected in the makeup of the House of Commons. Visible Minorities: 2015 50 Youth (ages 18-30): 2017 89 Change 39 2015 29 2017 24 Change -5 30 Women: Indigenous People: 2015 50 2017 52 Change 2 2017 62 Change -6 2015 54 2017 78 Change 24 Foreign-born Canadians: 2015 68 Source: Parliament of Canada data compared to Statistics Canada 2011 census data TRUST IN AND SATISFACTION WITH POLITICAL LEADERS TRUST: "A great deal" or "a fair amount" to do what's right Trust in MPs: National 2014 40% 2016 47% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 49% Quebec 55% Ontario 45% Man/Sask 44% Alberta 40% BC 42% Man/Sask 44% Alberta 42% BC 41% Alberta 45% BC 49% Trust in parties: National 2014 42% 2016 47% Change 5 Regional Atlantic 49% Quebec 58% Ontario 44% SATISFACTION: "Very" or "fairly" satisfied with how they are doing their jobs Satisfaction with MPs: National 2014 46% 2016 53% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 60% Quebec 56% Ontario 53% Man/Sask 51% 31 Satisfaction with political parties: National 2014 42% 2016 50% Change 8 Regional Atlantic 57% Quebec 50% Ontario 49% Man/Sask 52% Alberta 43% BC 50% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ARE INFLUENTIAL Percentage of Canadians who "agree" or "strongly agree" that the work and decisions of Members of Parliament influence the direction of the country. National 2014 54% 2016 54% Change 0 Regional Atlantic 52% Quebec 54% Ontario 53% Man/Sask 56% Alberta 61% BC 55% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey PARTIES ONLY WANT VOTES Percentage of Canadians who answered "agree" or "strongly agree" that candidates and parties only want their vote. National 2014 62% 2016 59% Change -3 Regional Atlantic 55% Quebec 58% Ontario 60% Man/Sask 56% Alberta 62% BC 63% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey 32 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT'S JOB PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Average percentage grade for MPs on six core jobs that focus on representation, accountability and legislation. National 2014 47% 2016 54% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 54% Quebec 57% Ontario 54% Man/Sask 53% Alberta 53% BC 52% Man/Sask 53% Alberta 51% BC 51% Man/Sask 62% Alberta 62% BC 62% Man/Sask 53% Alberta 51% BC 51% REPRESENTATION Representing the views of people in their riding : National 2014 45% 2016 53% Change 8 Regional Atlantic 53% Quebec 56% Ontario 54% Representing the views of their political party: National 2014 57% 2016 63% Change 6 Regional Atlantic 63% Quebec 65% Ontario 63% Helping people in their ridings: National 2014 46% 2016 53% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 54% Quebec 54% Ontario 54% 33 ACCOUNTABILITY Holding the government to account and watching how the government spends money: National 2014 42% 2016 50% Change 8 Regional Atlantic 50% Quebec 54% Ontario 49% Man/Sask 49% Alberta 49% BC 48% Man/Sask 54% Alberta 54% BC 54% Man/Sask 49% Alberta 49% BC 48% LEGISLATION Debating and voting on issues in the House of Commons: National 2014 48% 2016 56% Change 8 Regional Atlantic 55% Quebec 59% Ontario 56% Explaining the decisions being made in Parliament: National 2014 43% 2016 50% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 49% Quebec 54% Ontario 50% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey 34 POLITICAL PARTIES' JOB PERFORMANCE REVIEWS Average percentage grade for political parties on six core jobs that focus on elections, engagement and policy development. National 2014 48% 2016 57% Change 9 Regional Atlantic 57% Quebec 59% Ontario 57% Man/Sask 57% Alberta 54% BC 55% Man/Sask 57% Alberta 55% BC 55% Man/Sask 66% Alberta 62% BC 66% Man/Sask 55% Alberta 51% BC 52% ELECTIONS Recruiting candidates and competing in elections: National 2014 50% 2016 57% Change 7 Regional Atlantic 56% Quebec 60% Ontario 57% Encouraging people to vote: National 2014 55% 2016 66% Change 11 Regional Atlantic 67% Quebec 67% Ontario 66% ENGAGEMENT Hearing ideas from party members: National 2014 47% 2016 55% Change 8 Regional Atlantic 54% Quebec 58% Ontario 55% 35 Reaching out to Canadians so their views can be represented: National 2014 42% 2016 53% Change 11 Regional Atlantic 52% Quebec 55% Ontario 54% Man/Sask 53% Alberta 50% BC 51% Man/Sask 53% Alberta 51% BC 51% Man/Sask 56% Alberta 52% BC 55% POLICY Coming up with new policy ideas and solutions: National 2014 44% 2016 53% Change 9 Regional Atlantic 53% Quebec 56% Ontario 54% Explaining what the party stands for: National 2014 48% 2016 57% Change 9 Regional Atlantic 58% Quebec 59% Ontario 57% Source: 2016 Samara Citizens' Survey 36 METHODOLOGY WHAT IS SAMARA'S DEMOCRACY 360? The Democracy 360 is Samara Canada's made-in-Canada report card on the state of Canada's democracy, which focuses on the relationship between citizens and political leadership. The Democracy 360 combines quantifiable indicators, focused on three areas: communication, participation and political leadership. The Democracy 360 will allow Canadians to compare and assess their democracy over time. First published in 2015, the Democracy 360 will be published every two years in order to measure improvement or decline. This is the second edition, published March 28th, 2017. HOW WERE THE INDICATORS IN THE DEMOCRACY 360 SELECTED? With a long list of potential indicators, five criteria were used to select the indicators which measure communication, participation and leadership in Canada: 1. Accuracy: Is the measure precise? 2. Reliability: Is the measure an accurate and consistent capture of the activity? 3. Feasibility: With respect to finite time and resources, can the data be collected and analyzed? 4. Replicable: Can the measure be captured again in a similar fashion? 5. Dynamic: Is the indicator's change (improvement or decline) measurable? WHERE DID THE DEMOCRACY 360 DATA COME FROM? The four main sources of data in the report card: Public opinion survey data collected between September 23 and October 6, 2016, using an online sample of 4,003 Canadian residents over 18 years of age living in ten provinces, House of Commons records, Statistics Canada, Elections Canada turnout records, and independent analysis performed by Mark Blevis (for social media accounts). The full methodology, including sources used, can be found at samaracanada.com/democracy-360. Please see the Appendix on page 22 for data and regional responses. If you have any additional questions about the methodology, or if you'd like to request the Samara 360 Citizens' Survey for precise data manipulation, survey question wording, and unweighted frequencies, contact info[@]samaracanada.com. 37 ENDNOTES 1 "Democracy Index 2016." Economist Intelligence Unit. Jan 2017. 2 "Declining trust in government is denting democracy." Economist Intelligence Unit. 25 Jan 2017. 3 "Freedom in the World 2016." Freedom House. Jan 2017. 4 Ibid. 5 Savoie, Donald. "The broken chain of answerability." The Globe and Mail, 16 May 2008. Marland, Alex. Brand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2015, p. 91. 6 7 "The Shattered Mirror: News, Democracy and Trust in the Digital Age." Public Policy Forum, 02 Feb 2017. Welsh, Jennifer. The Return of History: Conflict, Migration, and Geopolitics in the Twenty-First Century. Toronto: House of Anansi, 2016. 8 9 "How Trump can build a U.S. autocracy: David Frum." Interview by Anna Maria Tremonti. The Current. CBC. 02 Feb 2017. Radio. 10 "The Real Outsiders: Politically Disengaged Views on Politics and Democracy." Samara Canada, 07 Dec 2011. 11 "Cheering or Jeering? Members of Parliament Open Up About Civility in the House of Commons." Samara Canada, 14 Jan 2016. 12 Welsh, Jennifer. "The Return of History." The 2016 CBC Massey Lectures. Massey College, University of Toronto, Toronto. THANK YOU Samara would like to thank all of our individual donors as well as Bennett Jones LLP and Your Canada Your Constitution for their continued support of this project. As a charity, Samara relies on the generous support of donors and is proud to have a broad base of support. We are so grateful to all the individuals and groups who have contributed to Samara's research and education efforts and made our success possible. If you're interested in supporting Samara's work, please visit samaracanada.com or contact us at 416-960-7926. 38 Copyright (C) Samara Canada 2017 PUBLISHER: Samara Canada PUBLICATION DATE: March 28th, 2017 WRITERS: Jane Hilderman and Kendall Anderson EDITORS: Allison Jane Smith and Jose Ramon Marti DESIGNER: Genevieve Biloski SURVEY DATA COLLECTION: Drs. Peter Loewen and Daniel Rubenson DATA ANALYSIS: Lior Sheffer OTHER DATA COLLECTION: Christina Vietinghoff, Erica Chan, Jose Ramon Marti, Gabrielle Feldmann and Katie Wynen Samara Canada is a Canadian charity dedicated to reconnecting citizens to politics. Samara Canada's research and educational programming shine new light on Canada's democratic system and encourage greater political participation across the country to build a better political system--and a better Canada--for everyone. To learn more about Samara's work or make a charitable donation to support our programs, please visit www.samaracanada.com or contact us at 416-960-7926. STRONGER DEMOCRACY. BETTER CANADA. 33 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5R 1B2 416-960-7926 | info@samaracanada.com Facebook "f " Logo @SamaraCDA CMYK / .eps Facebook "f " Logo CMYK / .eps SamaraCanada @SamaraCDA