441-01268 (Democratic process)

As Canadians, we are blessed to live in a free and democratic country.

In 2021, we collectively exercised the democratic rights guaranteed to us by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canada Elections Act. In the 44^th General Election since Confederation, a total of 17,209,811 Canadian citizens exercised their right to vote, and to freely choose from among 2,010 fellow citizens who put themselves forward as candidates. We should all take pride in the fact that Canadians continue to be so deeply engaged in our democratic process and its institutions.

Under our system of Parliamentary and responsible government, we continue to govern with the confidence of the House of Commons. We are accountable to Parliament and to Canadians, whether through Parliament proceedings, the scrutiny of the free press, and the many formal and informal ways in which Government and elected Members of Parliament engage with concerned citizens, organizations, and civil society every day.

We continue to work to make Canada a place where we can all thrive. Our agenda as a Government includes measures to make life more affordable for Canadians, whether through investing in child care and dental care, or by improving important benefits such as the Canada Child Benefit, Canada Pension Plan, OAS, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement. We are helping Canadians create new middle class jobs by tackling supply chain challenges, doubling the Tradespeople’s Tool Deduction, and promoting international trade to bring Canadian goods and services to the global marketplace. And we are protecting our environment for future generations by greening our electrical grid, electrifying our transport sector, and investing in the critical mineral sector that makes Canada a world leader.

The Government is proud of this record. We continue to work hard to retain the confidence of Parliament for the remainder of this term, and Canadian citizens will once again exercise their democratic rights in the 45^th General Election.