Civic engagement means being actively involved in our community and working together to shape the future we want to see. From family life to the environment, politics, and more, civic engagement involves local leaders and community members coming together to address public concerns. When people are engaged in civic life, they are empowered to enact positive change in their communities.
The City of Vaughan will hold a municipal election on Monday, October 26, to elect members of Vaughan Council for the 2026 to 2030 term. We have carefully curated unbiased and accurate information about the candidates, important dates, and how you can submit your vote.
We also asked each candidate 3 questions regarding Vaughan's most pressing issues. Follow along to learn more about their thoughts and ideas.
Discover Canadian history, government, Indigenous communities, and media in this welcoming two-part introduction for newcomers. Build civic knowledge, confidence, and community connections while learning about life in Canada.
Discover volunteer opportunities at Vaughan Public Libraries for all ages. Learn about roles, requirements, and benefits, and find out how to get involved, build skills, and support your community.
Learn about voting, local government, newcomer supports, and community involvement through presentations and discussions with Elections Ontario, Welcome Centre, Elections Vaughan, and VPL.
Uncover the ways AI can be used to sway elections and affect our democracy in this informative session. Presented by the Samara Centre for Democracy.
Speaking of Democracy is an engaging, bilingual exhibit offering key facts about democracy in Canada and featuring quotes on democracy from significant historical figures.
Meet the candidates for the Local and Regional Councillor positions for the upcoming Vaughan municipal elections. Candidates will present their vision on top issues. Presented by moderator Julia Suppa.
Each month a new question is posted at VPL libraries inviting visitors to share their thoughts and read the responses of others. The answers offer a unique look at the ideas, experiences, and perspectives of Vaughan residents. By taking part, community members can learn from one another, find common ground, and help build a stronger sense of connection.
Read these blog posts to learn more:
It's official: Colette Pelton elected 2026 Mayor of Suburbia. Thank you to all who participated in VPL's mock election this year. All in all, we had 427 votes across our library locations.
At the Get Out the Vote for Kids program at Civic Centre Resource Library in April, we learned about municipal elections and tallied the final votes. We hope children and adults alike are inspired to participate in democracy and become engaged in their communities.
Below is a curated list of links connecting you to valuable tools, information, or communities that promote civic engagement.
Select a heading to see the links in that group.
AFP’s fact-checkers seek to investigate dubious claims circulating online which are viral, impactful and potentially harmful to the public.
Civic literacy means having the knowledge and skills you need to participate in making change in your community. In Canada, this includes voting, knowing how the government works, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens and elected members of government. When you have strong civic literacy skills, you know how to make your voice heard by all levels of government—before, during and after an election.
The strategy of Lateral Reading employed by expert fact checkers involves opening a new browser tab to evaluate a source based on information from other trusted sources, rather than evaluating the source itself for accuracy or credibility.
MediaSmarts has been developing digital media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996.
A non-partisan charity that produces ground-breaking research and dynamic events that advance a vibrant culture of civic engagement across Canada.
What you need to know about Municipal Elections in Vaughan.
Your ideas and input are crucial to ensuring Vaughan is the city you want it to be. We invite you to engage on issues that matter to you and help improve our city.
The City of Vaughan is reviewing its ward boundaries and Council composition to ensure it continues to be an effective and equitable system of representation that keeps pace with population growth.
The Community Legal Clinic of York Region (‘CLCYR’) is a not for profit organization which serves low-income residents in York Region.
Learn about rights issues via The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), a human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians.
VaughanPL: National Volunteer Week
If you need more information or require assistance, please reach out to us.