What is CIVIX Canada? New Brunswick Event 2024 with Erica Butler, CHMA FM reporter who has moved on to CBC work

At this link:  Three Elections, Three Provinces, Three Bootcamp - CIVIX Canada

New Brunswick

Fredericton | August 13, 2024

"In anticipation of the upcoming provincial election on October 21, CIVIX traveled to Fredericton to hold our first-ever Democracy Bootcamp in New Brunswick. Taking place right at the end of summer, educators who attended were eager to get back in the swing of things and learn how to engage their students in Student Vote at the beginning of a new school year. 

The event kicked off with CIVIX CEO Lindsay Mazzucco speaking on the importance of Student Vote, including a preview of lesson plans and programming resources. Next was the Elections & Democracy panel discussion moderated by Vanessa Vander Valk (CBC) and featuring panelists Erica Butler (CHMA), Jamie Gillies (STU) and Jacques Poitras (CBC). This group of experts discussed the upcoming New Brunswick election and some of the challenges facing democracy today, including polarization, distrust in institutions, and the prevalence of disinformation. 

Kim Poffenroth, CEO of Elections New Brunswick spoke to teachers on the importance of democratic participation and civic education, and thanked the educators who attended for their dedication. 

In the afternoon, CIVIX staff led several discussion sessions and teachers activities aimed at facilitating discussion in the classroom, digital media literacy, and how to best engage students within democracy and the election process. 

In total, 55 educators attended the event from throughout the province. 

Many thanks to Elections New Brunswick for making this event possible."