Connect with our Network - Inspire Democracy
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Connect with our Network

  • Why maintain a network of organizations?

    Elections Canada (EC) maintains a network of contracted and non-contracted organizations that work with various key communities who face barriers to electoral participation. This gives us the tools and feedback we need to help reduce barriers to working at, running as a candidate, registering, and voting in a federal election. These communities include, among others:

    • First Nations, Inuit and Métis electors
    • Electors with disabilities
    • New electors (youth and new Canadians)
    • Official language minorities
    • Electors who identify as 2SLGBTQI+
    • Electors experiencing homelessness

  • What do organizations in Inspire's network do?

    Close to 900 strong, our non-contracted network supports the Inspire Democracy program by:

    • Sharing EC's information about all the ways to work at, run as a candidate in, register for and vote in a federal election.
    • Providing feedback about the barriers to participation that their members face so that we can improve the electoral process.

    In addition, our more than 40 contracted stakeholders go even further by:

    • Hosting events and workshops related to specific electoral barriers in their communities.
    • Developing adapted informational products and relevant distribution strategies.

  • Is my organization a good fit for Inspire's network?

    Yes! Anybody can join the network. We work with organizations and community leaders across Canada. Together, we make it easier to take part in elections by reducing barriers and sharing information. Staying informed and interested in the electoral process is a great form of civic engagement.

    On the contractor side, we use the feedback obtained before, during and after a general election to evaluate our process and outreach needs for the next election. To support our outreach initiatives, we reach out to the members of our network that fit the following characteristics:

    • To be non-partisan.
    • To have an active network.
    • To be able to deliver elections-related outreach to their communities.

Many organizations and community leaders in our network have said that working with us has helped them build their own network, helped them reduce barriers to participating in the electoral process and that they will continue working with us in the future.

Would you like to be one of them? Connect with us.

Our Network

ABC Life Literacy inspires Canadians to increase their literacy skills.
How they help: ABC Life Literacy creates plain language products to help people with the election process. One such product is the A Guide to Voting: A Literacy Practitioner. They also have learning activities that complement the voting guide. ABC Life Literacy shares EC's products through newsletters, social media and activities.
Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne (AFFC) (français seulement) mobilizes and develops a network centered on defending francophone and Acadian women for a more inclusive society.
How they help: Through their network, they support efforts to share electoral information products in French.
Alliance for Healthier Communities (AHC) aims to promote comprehensive primary health care and advocates for changes in Ontario's health and social systems to address inequities.
How they help: Through their network, they support efforts to share products on electoral information and help coordinate community workshops.
Apathy is Boring supports and educates youth to be active and contributing citizens in Canada's democracy.
How they help: It shares EC's information through its online platforms. Apathy is Boring will launch a nationwide Table Topics initiative to promote dialogue and engagement around the election between youth and their peers. It will also create and share a video series interviewing young Canadians across the country on their civic and democratic engagement.
ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities is a national Black-led, Black-serving and Black-focused organization rooted in disability justice, Black feminism, and decolonization.
How they help: They organize digital campaigns to increase awareness of Elections Canada's information products through their network.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) advocates on behalf of First Nations as directed by Chiefs-in-Assembly. This includes facilitation and coordination of national and regional discussions and dialogue, advocacy efforts and campaigns, legal and policy analysis, communicating with governments, including facilitating relationship-building between First Nations and the Crown as well as public and private sectors and general public.
How they help: The AFN helps EC reduce barriers faced by electors living on reserve by sharing EC's voter information campaign via virtual and in-person kiosks at its forums, and through social media posts. During an election, it will operate a call centre to contact band administrators to discuss local elector services. The AFN will focus its outreach efforts on providing information about having the required ID to register and vote (including using the voter information card as a proof of address) and on the advantages of registering before election day.
Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec (ABPQ) (français seulement) exercises leadership to ensure the development, strategic positioning and influence of Quebec's public libraries.
How they help: They organize digital campaigns to increase awareness of Elections Canada's information products through their network.
Boys and Girls Club Canada (BGC Canada) aims to provide safe and supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
How they help: Through their national network, they support our workshops and consultations related to their field of expertise.
Brain Injury Canada works to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families or caregivers living with brain injury in Canada.
How they help: Brain Injury Canada shares information on accessible voting tools and services to Canadians with acquired brain injury.
Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) is a national voice for Canada's post-secondary students. Established in 1995, CASA is a non-partisan, not-for-profit student organization composed of student associations from across Canada.
How they help: CASA creates and shares digital toolkits designed for students (18-24). They will also run national, digital Voter Information conference to maximize the number of students who are trained and prepared to mobilize students sharing where, when, and the ways to register and vote, and engage in paid employment in polls.
Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) leads a national movement of individuals, organizations and communities working together to end homelessness in Canada.
How they help: Through their network consolidation initiative and events organization, they support Elections Canada's outreach to groups that work with homeless communities all over the country.
Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) protects and promotes the rights, needs and concerns of deaf Canadians.
How they help: They disseminate within their network information from Elections Canada about Inspire Democracy activities and news. They also recommend participants for consultations that are related to their field of expertise.
Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Foundation delivers innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empowers people impacted by blindness.
How they help: CNIB shares EC's information in accessible formats with Canadians who are blind, partially sighted or deafblind. CNIB hosts training events across the country on the accessibility tools and services that are available at the polls. They also share information about accessible voting with their members online.
City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) is a not-for-profit collaborative of women working to promote democratic engagement.
How they help: Helps to educate Canadian electors of their voting rights and the voting process through virtual information sessions, workshops and social media.
Confederacy of Mainland Mi'Kmaq (CMM) proactively promotes and helps Mi'kmaw communities' initiatives toward self-determination and enhancement of community.
How they help: They disseminate within their network information from Elections Canada about Inspire Democracy activities and news. They also recommend participants for consultations that are related to their field of expertise.
Democratic Engagement Exchange (The Exchange) drives democratic engagement by partnering with community organizations, government agencies and academic institutions to build tools and champion policies to create a more inclusive democracy.

How they help: They have created and revised Democracy Talks, which is a set of practical tools and resources that can be used to foster a more inclusive democracy. They have also created Vote PopUp, which is a toolkit for first-time and infrequent voters that can be used to become familiar with the voting process.

We were partners in organizing the Canadian Vote Summit 2023 and the Canadian Vote Summit 2024.

EMBERS Eastside Works is a low barrier employment centre assisting vulnerable individuals in Vancouver's downtown eastside.
How they help: Embers provides face-to-face outreach in order to effectively communicate key information about electoral participation with homeless electors.
Equal Voice is a registered charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics. They work to advance education and provide leadership training for women and gender diverse people to increase their participation at all levels of Canadian politics.
How they help: Equal Voice organizes network-building activities to disseminate electoral information both during and in-between election periods.
Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT3) is the governing body of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3.
How they help: They amplify the dissemination of electoral information, support recruitment initiatives and provide feedback on product development.
Indspire is a national Indigenous-led charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people.
How they help: Indspire will share EC's information with its network of Indigenous youth across Canada through its on line workshop, its Rivers to success portal and its social media platforms.
ilinniapaa Skills Development Centre (iSDC) delivers a range of skills development training in the North, primarily in Nunavut.
How they help: iSDCprepares social media that is culturally relevant for the North and shares EC's information with electors from Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon. iSDC will deliver webinars on electoral participation and organize radio interviews in Inuktitut on the importance of voting.
Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW) is a multi-sectoral collective that brings a new form of collaboration on the settlement and integration of newcomers at the community level.
How they help: They develop networks of people in communities that are interested in being more involved in elections. They also engage communities on barriers to voting, applying for employment and running in federal elections.
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) is the leading immigrant settlement service agency in Atlantic Canada, serving 10,000+ clients annually in 104 communities across Nova Scotia. ISANS provides language, settlement, community integration, business development and employment services in person and online.
How they help: They engage communities about barriers to voting, volunteering, applying for employment and running in federal elections. They also use their communication and social media network to make sure members of local communities know when, where and the ways to register and vote.
Institut du Nouveau Monde (INM) (français seulement) works to increase participation in democracy.
How they help: INM promotes EC's information and products on their website and social networks before and during an election. They share EC's information and products at kiosks. INM will set up a database of potential candidates interested in working at an election and will ensure that they have all the information to apply for those positions.
Institut National pour l'Équité, l'Égalité et l'Inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap is a national, autonomous organization that aims to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against people with disabilities of all ages, genders and ethnocultural origins. It also actively contributes to the promotion of equity to achieve equality and inclusion for all.
How they help: They organize digital campaigns to increase awareness of Elections Canada's information products through their network.
Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) delivers programs and special projects that inspire inclusion, create opportunities to connect, and encourage active citizenship.
How they help: EC information products will be shared at virtual enhanced citizenship ceremonies hosted by the ICC and with its Canoo network, a program that helps new Canadian citizens celebrate their citizenship by providing free admission to over 1400 cultural and historic sites across Canada.
Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) promotes accessibility and inclusion for people of all abilities. It is a group of experienced, diverse, influential and engaging staff and volunteers educate and offer expert advice in a wide range of topics and issues relating to accessibility, MLPD is dedicated to making a fully accessible province where all people, no matter ability, have the same rights and freedoms.
How they help: MLPD shares information about accessible voting and electoral participation online and in person. MLPD delivers Inspire Democracy workshops to communities of people with diverse disabilities and to organizations that support communities of persons with disabilities.
March of Dimes Canada is a leading national charity committed to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change. They serve, connect, and empower people with disabilities to participate fully in life.
How they help: They help adapt our public workshops for use and sharing through their network of stakeholders.
Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for Immigrant Communities (MOSAIC) is one of Canada's largest settlement non-profit organizations whose newcomer services support the integration of immigrants, refugees and individuals from diverse backgrounds in Greater Vancouver and throughout British Columbia.
How they help: They engage their communities on barriers to voting, applying for employment, and running in federal elections. They also provide feedback to Elections Canada on programs and customized information products.
National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) aims to help friendship centres and provincial or territorial associations achieve their diverse missions and visions for their urban Indigenous communities.
How they help: They prepare a digital campaign to increase awareness of the Inspire Democracy toolkits through the NAFC communication channels and host workshops on civic engagement in their communities.
National Network for Equitable Library Service provides services and collections of books in accessible formats to users throughout Canada.
How they help: These libraries work with international partners, other libraries, readers and publishers (particularly Canadian publishing houses) to create copies of books in accessible formats for Canadian readers with a print disability.
Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, transgender and gender-diverse people in Canada, including First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.
How they help: They develop fact sheets about federal elections to be translated into Indigenous languages with the goal of increasing the accessibility of voting resources for Indigenous electors. They also amplify information sharing and recruitment initiatives within their communities.
New Majority amplifies and organizes around the priorities of Canada's most powerful voting group: young people.
How they help: They promote information through their social media network and through outreach activities to make sure member communities know when, where and the ways to register and vote.
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) works to support, advocate for, and build the capacity of members for Friendship Centres across Ontario.
How they help: OFIFC organizes network-building activities to disseminate electoral information both during and in-between election periods to their network of friendship centres.
People First of Canada is an organization for people with intellectual disabilities supporting each other to reclaim the right to be recognized as full citizens.
How they help: People First of Canada hosts workshops and training activities about EC's accessibility service offering. They share information on assisting electors at the polls with support workers. They host town halls and webinars on the different ways to register and vote.
Samara Centre for Democracy conducts research and brings people together to increase civic engagement in Canada.
How they help: They organize digital campaigns to increase awareness of information products from Elections Canada through their channels. They also develop and hold virtual public workshops on becoming a federal candidate.
Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport.
How they help: through sharing EC's official information with their community and highlighting EC's accessibility services and tools.
Sterling Creations is about communication and creation. They offer professional writing, translation, research, transcription and accessibility services in many different forms.
How they help: Provide expertise on accessibility for creating and disseminating electoral information products.
United for literacy is a national literacy organization.
How they help: United for literacy shares EC's information with many communities across Canada. United for literacy and EC collaborate on activities for the National Forum on Literacy & Civic Engagement, and facilitate Inspire Democracy information kiosks and Vote PopUp activities across Canada.
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is passionate about making sure Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and hearing individuals can interact freely without barriers.
How they help: through sharing EC's official information with their community and highlighting EC's accessibility services and tools
YMCA Canada provides vital community services that positively impact some of Canada's most pressing social issues, from chronic disease to unemployment, social isolation, poverty and inequality.
How they help: YMCA Canada is the national office of the Canadian YMCA Federation, which is made up of 35 YMCAs and 4 YMCA-YWCA member associations. By using this solid network, the YMCA can share electoral information with people across the country.