This document provides information about civic engagement opportunities in one's community. It outlines three main ways to get involved: 1) Volunteering, such as helping with community events, tutoring children, or serving food to those in need. 2) Having a voice by writing letters to elected officials or attending town halls to express views. 3) Elections and voting at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels to choose political representatives. The document encourages residents to get civically engaged to help build community and integrate their culture into Canadian society.

1. Your guide to Civic Engagement in
your community
Get Involved

2. ELECTIONS AND VOTING
Voting is a democratic right that allows you to
have your say about who represents you in
government. In Canada there are three levels
of government that each have different
responsibilities; federal, provincial, and
municipal. Each level of government also has
a different structure. To understand more
about voting and the election process, see our
GET INVOLVED­ Master Civic Engagement
Handbook located on the LMLIP
website.Voting is a great way to get involved
with your community!
Advance poll and special ballot
You need a voter information card
If You don't have a voter information card
On Election Day
If your information is in the National
Register of Electors, you will receive a
voter information card. This tells you that
your name is on the voters list and when
and where to vote.
If you do not get a voter information
card in the mail, call your local elections
office to get on the voters list. To get this
number, you can phone Elections Canada
in Ottawa at 1­800 463­6868 or go to their
website: www.elections.ca
If you cannot vote on Election Day, you can
vote at the advance polls or by special ballot.
Dates and location for advance polls are on
your voter information card.
You need to go to your local polling station to vote.
The information is written on your voter information
card. The poll officials at the polling station will
confirm you are on the voters list by asking your name
and address. You must bring identification with you to
prove your dentity. Then, you will be given a ballot.
Government Responsibilities:
Citizenship and Immigration
Defence and Foreign Policy
Post Office
Money
Employment Insurance (EI)
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP)
Taxes
Provincial Responsibilities
Health and Education
Licenses
Highways
Prisons
Transportation
Parks
Tourism
Taxes
Municipal Responsibilities
Garbage and Recycling
Police and Fire Protection
Streets
Housing
Recreation
Public Library
Public Transit
Water and Sewer
Taxes
For more information see: immigration.london.ca/LMLIP
And look for the Civic Engagement Handbook: Get INVOLVED!

3. VOLUNTEER!
For many people in Canada, it can be
difficult to meet new people and make new
friends especially when English is not your
first language. Volunteering is a great way
to get out of the house, meet new people
and learn about Canadian society. A
volunteer is a person who helps others
without getting paid and the best way to
start is in your own community!.
EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN GENERAL
• Help organize an event
• Help a child with a school subject
• Serve breakfast/lunch/dinner to homeless or less­fortunate people
• Answer the telephone at a non­profit organization
• Do translation or interpretation
• Make follow up phone calls to clients or customers
Lists of non­profit organizations who may need volunteers can be
found on local websites, or through websites such as Pillar Nonprofit.
having your voice heard
Do you have a suggestion for your community? Well don’t
be shy! Using your voice is one way to be involved in your
community. Try some of these activities in order to make
your voice heard.
1. Writing a letter to a newspaper, magazine, television station,
or your local Member of Parliament;
2. Phoning in to a radio show or to a political party’s department
to discuss your views and/or concerns about a particular matter;
3. Emailing a business, organization, newspaper or magazine, or
completing an online survey or form;
4. Attending local community or town hall meetings to discuss
your views and/or concerns in person, or by making an
appointment to meet someone in person to discuss these views
and/or concerns;
5. Assembling peacefully through a public demonstration.
For more information see: immigration.london.ca/LMLIP
And look for the Civic Engagement Handbook: Get INVOLVED!

4. How to get INVOLVED
with
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT!
Civic engagement means people participating in social and political
activities within their community and their country. Taking part in
civic activities helps build your community and shape the nation. It
also helps with social integration and inclusion. As you become an
active citizen in your community, your culture, history and values
become a part of Canada and Canada becomes a part of you.
This kind of civic responsibility creates productive,
responsible, caring and contributing members of a society.
Our Civic Engagement Handbook outlines three main ways
to get involved in your community.
1. Volunteering
2. Having a Voice
3, Elections and Voting
The image below also describes other ways to be involved.
For more information see: immigration.london.ca/LMLIP
And look for the Civic Engagement Handbook: Get INVOLVED!