Curious about exploring the world of advocacy

  • Learn about critical democratic reform needs that impact how every decision gets made in Ottawa 
  • Lead with a team to study and strategize how to navigate your political landscape.
  • Act to build a Better Democracy hub and political support in your community. 

Basis of Unity

In advocacy campaigns, a “Basis of Unity” refers to a statement of common principles, goals, and values that unite different members, groups, or factions. It serves as a foundational set of guidelines that defines the key objectives and shared vision that everyone involved agrees upon. This is particularly important in coalitions or campaigns where people with varying interests come together, as it helps prevent internal conflicts and keeps the movement unified toward a common cause.

Below you can read about how we aspire to stand together and build a Better Democracy

We are a non-partisan organization committed to democratic reform. Our alignment with no particular political party ensures that we remain independent and unbiased in our advocacy efforts. We believe that all political parties have the capacity to enact meaningful democratic reforms in the public interest, and we will work with all parties willing to champion these changes.

Our approach to policy advocacy is transpartisan, meaning we engage across the political spectrum to find common ground and build coalitions. Transpartisan efforts involve collaboration beyond traditional partisan boundaries, recognizing that people from various political backgrounds can work together to achieve shared goals. By focusing on issues that transcend party lines, we aim to foster a cooperative and inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued in the pursuit of democratic reform.

Our primary focus is on advocating for federal democratic reform in Canada. While we recognize the importance of other social, economic, and environmental issues, our mission is to support these causes by advancing campaigns that ensure the public interest prevails in our democracy. We view our work through the lens of the "upstream-downstream" analogy often used in public health: by addressing the governance and structural issues "upstream" in our democratic system, we aim to create the conditions necessary for fair and just outcomes across all sectors and issues "downstream" in our law-making. 

The public interest is our guiding star in all our advocacy efforts. We believe that the public interest is inherently transpartisan, uniting people from all political backgrounds in the pursuit of the common good and general welfare of society. As young people, we are dedicated to creating a resilient democracy that promotes and protects the public interest, ensuring that the concerns of all citizens are heard and respected above the special interest of any specific individual, group, or sector.

Equity is fundamental to our work and our perspective. We are committed to ensuring that all voices, particularly those of marginalized and underrepresented communities, are empowered in our efforts to reform our democracy. We believe that a truly democratic system must be inclusive, equitable, and accessible providing all individuals with the opportunity to participate fully and fairly in the political process.

– – – 

**We acknowledge that before what is now known as Canadian democracy, Indigenous peoples in Canada had their own forms of governance since time immemorial. We acknowledge the systemic harms that have resulted from their forcible replacement by the institutions that uphold Canadian democracy today. We believe that by building a better democracy, all Canadians can contribute more to fulfilling the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.**

As youth, we have a unique stake in the decisions made by today’s elected officials, as well as in how those decisions are made. Our generation will live with the consequences of these decisions the longest, and we have the most to gain or lose from the integrity of our democratic institutions. We are committed to organizing our peers around the importance of democratic reform, ensuring that youth voices are central to the conversation when decisions are being made

We are youth from across the country coming together in a shared commitment to democratic reform. Though we may have been drawn to this cause by different environmental, economic, or social issues, we recognize the power of collective action. By organizing and building an inclusive community, we can achieve more together than we ever could alone. Our strength lies in our solidarity and our ability to support one another in this vital work.

Interested in learning more about advocacy?

Get involved in our advocacy initiatives by becoming an online endorser, supporter or organizer!

Register now