Democracy Rising ― Politics and Participation in Canada

Democracy Rising describes the limits of Canadian democracy and how they are being expanded by a revolution in participatory democracy.

Canada is one of the oldest continuous democracies in the world. There has never been a civil war, coup, or dictatorship in this country. Our freedoms are protected by law, and government is determined by regular elections expressing the will of the people. And yet there are serious limitations in the way we practice our public affairs.

Canadian history is littered with examples of how they have used their power to deny citizens the ability to organize and establish programs to improve the lives of ordinary people. Democracy Rising describes how elites have used their influence to boost their wealth and resources while working against the political will of the broader populace.

Award-winning urban issues writer Bill Freeman argues that this is poised to change. A powerful movement of participatory democracy is emerging in Canada, demanding that the voices of all people be heard by government. This expansion of our democracy is on the cusp of finally fulfilling the dream of government by the people.

Bill Freeman is an award-winning Canadian urban issues writer. He has written eighteen books, including The New Urban Agenda. He is a winner of the Canada Council Award for Juvenile Literature (now the Governor General’s Literary Award) and a past chair of The Writers’ Union of Canada. He lives on Toronto Island.