Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 9th February 2025
Climate Action Max
The Danger of Apathy: Why We Must Stay Engaged in Democracy to Save Cortes
This moment needs us all.
Watching ignorance, constitutional erosion, political retribution and hate spread like wildfire through the US is deeply disturbing (not to mention parts of a city burning down!). In the United States, we’ve seen how Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies have fueled division, mis- and disinformation, and a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. His insane position on climate change is a major threat to the habitability of the planet and this requires that we redouble our efforts because the same is happening here.
Closer to home, many Canadians feel a similar unease about Pierre Poilievre, whose rise in federal politics has sparked concerns about the spread of populist, divisive, and regressive ideas.
If we want to stop regression and build a better, safer, more inclusive world—we need more people to actively engage in democracy. The stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines.
And similarly, for my conservative friends, you can get involved and pull your team back from the extremism that is arising.
The Cost of Cynicism
It’s easy to feel frustrated with the political system. Many of us have valid grievances with all the major parties vying for power in the upcoming federal election. But when we allow cynicism to take over and remove ourselves from the political process, we inadvertently hand victory to those who thrive on division and apathy.
Consider this: in the last federal election, 35% of eligible voters in Canada chose to stay home. Provincially, voter turnout was even worse, with 47% of voters sitting out. That’s nearly half the population opting out of a system that directly impacts their lives, their communities, and their futures.
This disengagement is exactly what bad actors—both foreign and domestic—hope for. When foreign entities attempt to influence politics in North America, their goal is often to amplify division and cynicism. By stoking anger and frustration, they aim to discourage the most caring, thoughtful, and community-minded people from participating in the democratic process. When we step back, we leave the field wide open for those who seek to undermine democracy and push harmful, exclusionary agendas.
It is my belief and hope that, the solution to climate change (and the rest of the polycrisis) and apathy are the same inspiring policies, powered and guarded by masses of engaged citizens.
Fighting Back Against Division
The good news is that there are many ways to counter the trend toward authoritarian, irrational, and selfish politics. It starts with refusing to give in to apathy and cynicism. Instead, we must take action to build a political culture rooted in mutual aid, solidarity, and care for others.
Here’s how we can make a difference:
Mobilize across political divides to find common ground: There are several organizations that step above partisan division to try to use what we've got to get what we need. They need support! Check out https://cooperateforcanada.ca/the-plan/ or like: https://commonhorizoncommun.org/en/peoples-agenda. This one is hot: https://dontgetplayed.ca/. Our first-past-the-post voting system sucks, organizing (demanding) political coalitions are the next best option.
Get Involved with a Political Party: Find a party that most closely aligns with your values and is committed to policies that prioritize compassion, inclusion, and diversity. Join their efforts, volunteer, and sup-up their ambition (they all need our help to become what we need them to be). There are good people working everywhere - you won't be alone. (Even in the Liberal party, members are clamouring for urgent and sufficient action! 2023.liberal.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/565/2023/05/Fast-Tracked-2023-Policy-Resolutions-English_Final-3.pdf)
Support Policies That Build Community: Advocate for policies that address systemic issues like inequality, racism, and climate change. Support leaders who are willing to listen to diverse voices and work toward solutions that benefit everyone, not just the privileged few.
Engage in Conversations: Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of organizing ourselves, building power, voting and staying informed. Share your concerns and hopes for the future, and encourage others to get involved. For better or worse, the social media scene is important...
Support candidates: don't let your distaste for party leaders to sour your civic engagement often local candidates are real people with genuine desires to help. Our local NDP candidate is exactly that don't just vote, volunteer and donate to help her win! tanillejohnston.ndp.ca/
Vote: Last and least impactful (but the least you can do), show up on election day. Your vote is your voice, and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future.
Building a Better World
Democracy is far from perfect, but it’s a system that depends on participation to function. When we disengage, we allow the loudest, most divisive voices to dominate the conversation. And as we can see with trump in America, set backs in how power works, or the rules of the game, can be hard to overcome. But when we step up, we can push back against hate and ignorance and work toward a world that values compassion, reason, and justice.
The rise of dangerous politicians and ideologies is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport—it’s something we all have to fight for. By staying engaged, we can ensure that the future is shaped by those who care about building a better, more inclusive world, not by those who seek to tear it apart.
And, we needed to join in the organizing political power anyway, because all the parties need help getting to the levels of ambition required for climate safety. So, it's a win-win.
And ambitious goals are what it will take to compete against the regressive party. Here's a hot take: Trump didn't win, progressives lost. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCEu54CMPr-/
It's not as bad as it looks...
Chris Hatch writes, "46 per cent of Canadians say they’re fearful of a Conservative government under Poilievre. Far fewer (35 per cent) are hopeful. And 54 per cent say the Conservatives have “a hidden agenda they won’t reveal until after they win the election.”" www.nationalobserver.com/newsletters/zero-carbon/2024/09/20/pierre-poilievres-carbon-obsession
So, while the polling looks bad -- it is not hopeless to imagine that with some hardwork and enthusiasm, shared goal setting and organization, we can stop this country from regressing.
Join your neighbours
Members of the Cortes Climate Action Network team will be doing all of these things in the lead up to the federal election. Together we can get trained up, share the load, inspire each other and fight for the better world we know is possible. Get in touch if you'd like to join us, we need all of us. Bring a friend.
cortesclimateproton.me
This moment needs us all.
Watching ignorance, constitutional erosion, political retribution and hate spread like wildfire through the US is deeply disturbing (not to mention parts of a city burning down!). In the United States, we’ve seen how Donald Trump’s rhetoric and policies have fueled division, mis- and disinformation, and a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. His insane position on climate change is a major threat to the habitability of the planet and this requires that we redouble our efforts because the same is happening here.
Closer to home, many Canadians feel a similar unease about Pierre Poilievre, whose rise in federal politics has sparked concerns about the spread of populist, divisive, and regressive ideas.
If we want to stop regression and build a better, safer, more inclusive world—we need more people to actively engage in democracy. The stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines.
And similarly, for my conservative friends, you can get involved and pull your team back from the extremism that is arising.
The Cost of Cynicism
It’s easy to feel frustrated with the political system. Many of us have valid grievances with all the major parties vying for power in the upcoming federal election. But when we allow cynicism to take over and remove ourselves from the political process, we inadvertently hand victory to those who thrive on division and apathy.
Consider this: in the last federal election, 35% of eligible voters in Canada chose to stay home. Provincially, voter turnout was even worse, with 47% of voters sitting out. That’s nearly half the population opting out of a system that directly impacts their lives, their communities, and their futures.
This disengagement is exactly what bad actors—both foreign and domestic—hope for. When foreign entities attempt to influence politics in North America, their goal is often to amplify division and cynicism. By stoking anger and frustration, they aim to discourage the most caring, thoughtful, and community-minded people from participating in the democratic process. When we step back, we leave the field wide open for those who seek to undermine democracy and push harmful, exclusionary agendas.
It is my belief and hope that, the solution to climate change (and the rest of the polycrisis) and apathy are the same inspiring policies, powered and guarded by masses of engaged citizens.
Fighting Back Against Division
The good news is that there are many ways to counter the trend toward authoritarian, irrational, and selfish politics. It starts with refusing to give in to apathy and cynicism. Instead, we must take action to build a political culture rooted in mutual aid, solidarity, and care for others.
Here’s how we can make a difference:
Mobilize across political divides to find common ground: There are several organizations that step above partisan division to try to use what we've got to get what we need. They need support! Check out https://cooperateforcanada.ca/the-plan/ or like: https://commonhorizoncommun.org/en/peoples-agenda. This one is hot: https://dontgetplayed.ca/. Our first-past-the-post voting system sucks, organizing (demanding) political coalitions are the next best option.
Get Involved with a Political Party: Find a party that most closely aligns with your values and is committed to policies that prioritize compassion, inclusion, and diversity. Join their efforts, volunteer, and sup-up their ambition (they all need our help to become what we need them to be). There are good people working everywhere - you won't be alone. (Even in the Liberal party, members are clamouring for urgent and sufficient action! 2023.liberal.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/565/2023/05/Fast-Tracked-2023-Policy-Resolutions-English_Final-3.pdf)
Support Policies That Build Community: Advocate for policies that address systemic issues like inequality, racism, and climate change. Support leaders who are willing to listen to diverse voices and work toward solutions that benefit everyone, not just the privileged few.
Engage in Conversations: Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of organizing ourselves, building power, voting and staying informed. Share your concerns and hopes for the future, and encourage others to get involved. For better or worse, the social media scene is important...
Support candidates: don't let your distaste for party leaders to sour your civic engagement often local candidates are real people with genuine desires to help. Our local NDP candidate is exactly that don't just vote, volunteer and donate to help her win! tanillejohnston.ndp.ca/
Vote: Last and least impactful (but the least you can do), show up on election day. Your vote is your voice, and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future.
Building a Better World
Democracy is far from perfect, but it’s a system that depends on participation to function. When we disengage, we allow the loudest, most divisive voices to dominate the conversation. And as we can see with trump in America, set backs in how power works, or the rules of the game, can be hard to overcome. But when we step up, we can push back against hate and ignorance and work toward a world that values compassion, reason, and justice.
The rise of dangerous politicians and ideologies is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder that democracy is not a spectator sport—it’s something we all have to fight for. By staying engaged, we can ensure that the future is shaped by those who care about building a better, more inclusive world, not by those who seek to tear it apart.
And, we needed to join in the organizing political power anyway, because all the parties need help getting to the levels of ambition required for climate safety. So, it's a win-win.
And ambitious goals are what it will take to compete against the regressive party. Here's a hot take: Trump didn't win, progressives lost. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCEu54CMPr-/
It's not as bad as it looks...
Chris Hatch writes, "46 per cent of Canadians say they’re fearful of a Conservative government under Poilievre. Far fewer (35 per cent) are hopeful. And 54 per cent say the Conservatives have “a hidden agenda they won’t reveal until after they win the election.”" www.nationalobserver.com/newsletters/zero-carbon/2024/09/20/pierre-poilievres-carbon-obsession
So, while the polling looks bad -- it is not hopeless to imagine that with some hardwork and enthusiasm, shared goal setting and organization, we can stop this country from regressing.
Join your neighbours
Members of the Cortes Climate Action Network team will be doing all of these things in the lead up to the federal election. Together we can get trained up, share the load, inspire each other and fight for the better world we know is possible. Get in touch if you'd like to join us, we need all of us. Bring a friend.
cortesclimateproton.me