The first annual Democracy Week in Canada is being initiated by Fair Vote Canada. The week was chosen to recognize the annual United Nations International Day of Democracy on September 15. The themes of Democracy Week are celebrating, understanding and improving democracy in Canada.

All events are open to everyone, and do not require registration unless specified.

Saturday Sept 10

Democracy Week Kick-Off in Cabbagetown!

Presented by: Fair Vote Canada Toronto

Place: Parliament Street between Wellesley and Gerrard

Time: Saturday September 10, 11 am to 8:30 pm

Description: Fair Vote Canada will have a booth at this street fair which features music, street performers, a parade, a mini-marathon, shopping, vendors and community groups

Tuesday Sept 13

The Art of Democracy

Place: Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON

Time: 11:00 – 12:00 Eastern Time

As part of Canada's Democracy Week (September 12-16), the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Marc Mayrand, and Ilona Dougherty, Executive Director of Apathy is boring, will launch "The Art of Democracy" National Youth Challenge aimed at encouraging youth aged 14 - 30 to celebrate and learn about democracy.

A news conference will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West, Toronto.

Attending the news conference will be Amanda Mabro, a Montreal pop songstress, who will also be performing.

Prior to the news conference, an Apathy is Boring Civic Participation Workshop with local youth will take place. These youth will also be present at the news conference.

Documentary Showing: Menocracy

Place: Dalton Room, St. Paul’s Church, 227 Bloor Street East

Time: 7:30 – 9:30

Description: When it comes to politics, why are so few women elected? And why do so few women actually run? Does it matter? Can we change this situation?

Come to a showing of the film, Menocracy, an up-to-date and entertaining exploration of the issue made by Canadian filmmaker, Gretchen Kelbaugh. This film event will also include coffee and discussion.

See the documentary trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoLWSzq2v74

Pushed by the spirit of her great-aunt, Militant Suffragette Gert Harding, Gretchen Kelbaugh searches for ways to elect more women. Leading political scientists and Rt Hon Kim Campbell, the only woman to be head of government in North America, offer many solutions.
This documentary asks:
1. What difference does it make having more women in government?
2. Why aren't there more women already?
3. What can we do to quickly elect more women?

In the end, Gretchen and the sassy spirit learn the surprising truth: not only does our rotten democracy fail women; it fails almost everyone. And the secret kept by top politicians: most other democracies have fixed the problem long ago.

And if you prefer to let 'nature' take its course, know this: At our current rate, it'll be well over 200 years before half our politicians are women.