THE MUNICIPAL REP DAY PROGRAM

AMO is pleased to share with its members its Municipal Rep Day civic education initiative. Municipal Rep Day is a set of resources that connects municipally elected officials with students to help ignite interest in local government with future voters and community leaders. The program aims to support locally elected officials to help elementary and secondary school students understand the important role local government plays in addressing the most pressing issues for Ontario’s youth.

Municipal Rep Day is a pilot program developed as part of our Healthy Democracy Project. The program resources were specifically developed for AMO members with the support and expertise of the team at CIVIX, a national leader in civic education. The program supports AMO members (elected officials) and educators with resources to help elementary and secondary school students connect with locally elected officials and level up their awareness of and appreciation for local government.

WHY DOES THIS PROGRAM EXIST?

• Many Ontario municipalities are experiencing issues such as low youth voter turnout and lack of engagement with the electorate
• The Municipal Rep Day program provides a great opportunity to foster engagement and interaction between youth and their locally elected representatives, and a space for a positive discussion about democracy
• Participating youth will depart each Rep Day meeting with their local elected representative with more knowledge about the importance and relevance of municipal government, and elected representatives will take away the priorities and concerns of their youngest constituents

RESOURCES

We encourage our members to take advantage of this resource and to start your discussions with future leaders and voters today. Currently we have resources to support elected officials and elementary school classroom visits. Secondary school resources will be available in the coming weeks.

• Framework for Planning Your Classroom Rep Day Meeting
• Lesson #1: Governments in Canada
  • Slide Deck 1A: Governments in Canada
  • Slide Deck 1B: Trivia Game
• Lesson #2: My Municipality
  • Slide Deck 2: Municipalities
  • Activity 2.1: Investigating My Municipality
  • Activity 2.2: Plan of Action for My Community
  • Activity 2.3: Field Trip - Community Walk
• Lesson #3: Preparing to Meet Your Council Member
  • Handout 3.1: Being an Active Listener
  • Activity 3.2: Exit Card
• Social Media Toolkit