OUR MISSION
Too many Canadians feel left behind and disconnected from our democracy, leaving communities underrepresented and voices unheard. The Democratic Engagement Exchange (“The Exchange”) exists to change that. We strive to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient democracy where everyone living in Canada can participate fully, contribute to creating healthy communities, and tackle our most pressing challenges.
oUR sTORY
Founded in 2017, the Democratic Engagement Exchange housed at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) emerged at a moment when democracies around the world were backsliding. Trust in institutions was eroding, political participation was declining, and power was concentrating in fewer hands. These trends have accelerated.
The promise of democracy is that everyone has a voice in shaping the future they want for themselves, their families, and their communities. When democracy is at its best, power is not limited to those with money, political access, or cultural influence. The Exchange was founded on the belief that democracy works best when we all engage in it.
The Exchange grew out of national engagement work first developed at the Samara Centre for Democracy. Early pilot initiatives like Vote PopUp and Democracy Talks revealed a powerful insight. People who are least likely to participate are rarely disengaged by choice. They are excluded by design. When we began by asking a simple question, “What matters to you?”, people were often surprised to be asked at all. That moment of invitation reminded them that their voice matters and that democracy is not reserved for insiders. Those pilots revealed something else equally important. Many people were not opting out of voting because they were cynical or indifferent, but because they believed it was difficult, inaccessible, or intimidating.
Today, the Exchange is a nationally recognized thought leader that has close partnerships with Elections Canada and other election management bodies across the country. We translate complex electoral systems into clear, accessible information—reducing barriers, building confidence, and reinforcing the legitimacy of democratic participation.
We also work in partnership with trusted community organizations, including libraries, community food centres, settlement agencies, youth-serving programs, student organizations, colleges and universities and YMCAs. These partners have deep relationships with communities often excluded from traditional political outreach that institutions do not. By equipping these partners with research-informed tools, training, and support, the Exchange bridges institutional expertise with grassroots connection, enabling participation that is credible, human, and rooted in everyday life.
WHAT WE DO
The Exchange’s day to day focus is to strengthen democratic participation and civic belonging by partnering with community, local leaders, and organizations in this space to build on ramps to political participation for those who often feel excluded.
At the Exchange, our work involves:
Equipping Canadians to Participate
We create hands-on tools, workshops, and training programs that prepare people to confidently engage before, during, and in between critical democratic moments. From civic literacy resources to election-readiness training, we ensure individuals and organizations have what they need to take meaningful democratic action.
Connecting Leaders and Sectors
We convene policymakers, academics, community organizers, executives, and media to exchange ideas, deepen understanding, and collaborate across sectors. By convening diverse voices, we help develop solutions that strengthen our democratic institutions and enhance civic belonging.
Empowering Local Action
We support community organizations and local leaders in undertaking initiatives that drive measurable social change. Our work helps ensure that people who have been underrepresented in our democracy can meaningfully influence the decisions that affect their lives.