Local Democracy and Diaspora

2024 Highlights

In a period of democratic backsliding, the work of the Samara Centre for Democracy is more urgent and relevant than ever before.

2024 Publications

In 2024, the Samara Centre team published timely analyses on technology's impact on democracy, political engagement, and civic participation in Canada, sharing insights across mainstream, policy, and peer-reviewed outlets.

CEO Sabreena Delhon Featured in CPAC Documentary on Online Harms and Cyberbullying

CEO Sabreena Delhon receives King Charles III Coronation Medal

Our CEO, Sabreena Delhon, received a King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented at a special ceremony hosted at the Samara Centre’s office on November 1st.

CEO Sabreena Delhon Participates in Walrus Talks Panel on Polarization

On Wednesday, December 4th, more than 400 people attended The Walrus Talks at Home: Polarization.

In Defence of Democracy Featured on CTV’s The Social

Samara Centre for Democracy CEO, Sabreena Delhon and Connie Walker, this year’s In Defence of Democracy feature speaker appeared on CTV’s The Social on November 12th, 2024 to promote our annual event.

Donate to the Samara Centre this Giving Tuesday

What is truly threatening Canada’s democracy is the dominant story that we are disengaged and disconnected.

Celebrating a Milestone Moment for Tragedy in the Commons

On October 10th, we hosted an intimate gathering to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons, the bestselling book by Samara Centre co-founders Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan.

Bonus Humans of the House Episode Featured in The Hill Times

To mark the 10th anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons our co-founders Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan reunited for a special bonus episode of Humans of the House hosted by Samara Centre CEO Sabreena Delhon.

Montreal Event Explores How to Increase Public Participation in Politics

On October 2nd, the Samara Centre hosted Democratic Innovation: What’s Needed, What’s Not Necessary, What’s Next featuring panelists Malorie Flon (Institute du Nouveau Monde), Bianca Wylie (Digital Public) and Sarah Yaffe (MASS LBP).

Humans of the House BONUS Episode: The "Reluctant" Politician

In this special bonus episode, we celebrate and reflect upon the tenth anniversary of the bestseller book, Tragedy in the Commons, written by Samara Centre for Democracy co-founders, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan. Samara Centre CEO Sabreena Delhon hosts this conversation to ask, what has changed? What has stayed the same? Where are the fault lines in Canadian democracy?

Founders of the Samara Centre Reflect on 10 Years of the Bestselling Tragedy in the Commons in New Podcast Episode

Ten years ago, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan published Tragedy in the Commons.

Municipal World article examines solutions to combat abusive working conditions for local politicians

Sabreena Delhon and Andrea Mariko Grant delve into solutions to tackle the harmful working conditions that local politicians are facing in a new Municipal World Magazine article.

Samara Centre CEO Quoted on the Senate Floor

On September 24, 2024, Senator Peter Harder delivered a speech in the Canadian Senate addressing his motion regarding bills invoking the "Notwithstanding Clause."

A Q&A with this year’s in Defence of Democracy Speaker: Connie Walker

We sat down with the Pulitzer and Peabody-award winning investigative journalist ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

How are a handful of users on social media platforms fueling affective polarization?

CEO of the Samara Centre for Democracy Sabreena Delhon joined Ontario Today host Amanda Pfeffer on a September 17th call-in show where listeners shared how political polarization is taking a toll on their interpersonal relationships.

Samara Centre’s CEO, Sabreena Delhon to appear in Unrigged Documentary on TVO

Sabreena Delhon will be featured in Dave Meslin’s new documentary series, Unrigged premiering Sunday, September 15th on TVO’s broadcast channel.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons

Bestselling book endures with critical insights about how to build a more resilient Canadian democracy

Humans of the House Accredited by the Law Societies of British Columbia and Ontario

Lawyers and paralegals in Ontario can now listen to Humans of the House in partial fulfillment of their continuing professional development requirement.

Are you Candidate Curious?

Resources for Canadians considering elected office

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Safer Working Conditions for Elected Officials

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Safer Working Conditions for Elected Officials Before the Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs

CEO Sabreena Delhon in The New York Times

Our CEO Sabreena Delhon was interviewed by The New York Times about foreign interference in Canadian nomination races.

Humans of the House Nominated for RTDNA Award

The Samara Centre for Democracy’s podcast Humans of the House is a national finalist in the best podcast category of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2024 Awards. 

The Samara Centre for Democracy Welcomes Three New Board Members

The Samara Centre for Democracy welcomes three new members to our Board of Directors: The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, OC, Professor Kathleen Mahoney, KC, Professor Debra Thompson 

Engagement and Abuse on Toronto's Digital Campaign Trail: The 2023 Toronto Mayoral By-election Report

Exploring engagement, toxicity, and civic conversations across online and offline spaces in the Toronto by-election.

Buying Attention, On and Offline

Xiao Hua Gong spent a lot on advertising, and though those expenses didn’t translate into success at the polls, it showcased how big campaign budgets alone can reach into communities — sometimes in unexpected ways.

Does Online Engagement Mean Higher Electoral Success?

Mayoral runner-up Ana Bailão proved that offline success didn’t necessarily require high online engagement.

Who Gets a Platform? Media Exposure and Online Engagement

Chloe Brown and Anthony Furey were among the most successful mayoral candidates, but as political outsiders, they faced barriers breaking into media opportunities.

Abuse and Online Engagement Unpacked

The eventual mayor and a fringe candidate had similar engagement and levels of abuse — but very different experiences online.

Les Personnages de la Chambre dans les médias

Les Personnages de la Chambre est, depuis plusieurs semaines, l’une des émissions les mieux placées dans la catégorie gouvernementale sur les balados d’Apple Podcasts (Canada).

MP Exit Interviews: Data Breakdown

From 2008 to 2022, we have interviewed 165 former Members of Parliament. Comprehensive analysis of these interviews is currently underway.

Humans of the House Podcast Wins Silver at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards

The Samara Centre for Democracy and Media Girlfriends team were nominated in the Consumer category.

Featured Voices

Born in Happy Hill, Grenada, the Honourable Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons.

Samara Centre for Democracy 2023 Highlights

At the Samara Centre for Democracy our purpose is to make it easier for people to talk about and participate in politics. We want to move past simplistic commands like “you should run” or “you should vote” towards more nuanced and personal understandings about what it truly means to be civically engaged.

Les Personnages de la Chambre Ressources d’Apprentissage

Le Centre Samara pour la démocratie a conclu un partenariat avec le Réseau pour l’enseignement des sciences sociales du Canada (RESCC) dans le but de créer des ressources curriculaires sur la base de notre balado Les Personnages de la Chambre.

Humans of the House Teaching Resources

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 6: Jean-Claude Poissant

L’épisode d’aujourd’hui présente Monsieur Jean-Claude Poissant, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise de La Prairie à la Chambre des communes pour le Parti Libéral du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 5: Guy Caron

L’épisode d’aujourd’hui présente Monsieur Guy Caron, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise de Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques à la Chambre des communes pour le Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 4: Rémi Massé

Cet épisode présente Monsieur Rémi Massé, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise d’Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia à la Chambre des communes pour le Parti Libéral du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 3: Linda Lapointe

Cet épisode présente Madame Linda Lapointe, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise de Rivière-des-Mille-Îles à la Chambre des communes pour le Parti Libéral du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 2: Matthew Dubé

Cet épisode présente Monsieur Matthew Dubé, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise de Beloeil—Chambly à la Chambre des communes pour le Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre Épisode 1: Steven Blaney

Cet épisode présente Monsieur Steven Blaney, qui a représenté la circonscription québécoise de Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis à la Chambre des communes pour le Parti conservateur du Canada

Les Personnages de la Chambre: Bande-annonce

Nous connaissons les politiciens et politiciennes tels qu’ils se présentent à nous dans l’exercice de leurs fonctions. Mais ce n’est que lorsque leur mandat touche à sa fin qu’ils et elles peuvent réellement s’exprimer sur leur expérience. Animé par Chloë Hill, Les Personnages de la Chambre est un nouveau balado qui présente six anciens et anciennes député.e.s de la Chambre des communes du Canada qui décrivent, dans leur propre voix, la réalité de cette profession.

Samara Centre in the Media

The Samara Centre for Democracy is frequently asked to provide commentary and analysis on a range of topics related to civic engagement and political participation. We regularly appear in print, broadcast and digital news networks across the country. 

Changing the workplace of Parliament Hill would change everything

Samara Centre’s Sabreena Delhon and Media Girlfriend's Hannah Sung on why a change in workplace culture on the hill could improve our democracy

MP Exit Interview: Current Work

Our current work captures Parliamentarians who left the House of Commons between October 2015 and September 2021.

The Samara Centre for Democracy Welcomes Lisa LaFlamme and Jeilah Chan to Their Board of Directors

The Samara Centre for Democracy welcomes two new members to our Board of Directors.

Who Cares About Toronto’s By-Election?

How are our policies around elections limiting voter engagement - and what do we need from policymakers in order to make things better?

SAMbot Charlottetown Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Charlottetown's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Yellowknife Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Yellowknife's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Winnipeg Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Winnipeg's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Toronto Election

SAMbot tracked online abuse during Toronto's municipal election. Read our report to learn more about our findings.

SAMbot Brampton Election

SAMbot Ottawa Election

SAMbot Surrey Election

SAMbot Vancouver Election

SAMbot Methodology: Municipal Elections

Throughout the fall of 2022, the Samara Centre for Democracy deployed SAMbot in eight municipal elections across Canada to measure abusive content received by candidates and political parties on Twitter.

Online Abuse in Local Elections: The SAMbot Municipal Report

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in eight municipal elections across Canada by monitoring candidate and political party accounts.

The Promise and Perils of Digital: A Panel Discussion

This panel discusses how digital technology is shaping public engagement, journalism and our democracy.

New Publication — Policy Options article examines how online toxicity is hindering civic engagement

We share findings from the SAMbot project and discuss how online toxicity takes a toll on civic engagement.

SAMbot In The Media

SAMbot has received national media coverage and been presented at meetings across governmental, policy, technology, human rights and academic spaces.

Humans of the House Episode 6: Was It Worth It?

We’ve come to the final chapter of an MP’s civic journey. What is it like to leave office?

Humans of the House Episode 5: I'm Going to Say the F Word

What does it take for MPs to make a difference? We hear from former MPs about the changes they pushed for, and what it cost them.

Humans of the House in the Media

Humans of the House has received national media coverage and has been the #1 show in the Government category for several weeks on Apple Podcasts where it has also been featured as a New & Noteworthy Special Series.

Humans of the House Episode 4: Unwritten Rules

Humans of the House Episode 3: The Best/Worst Place I Ever Worked

What is Parliament Hill like as a workplace?

Humans of the House Episode 2: Show Up and Glow Up

So, you won an election and are officially a Member of Parliament. Now what?

SAMbot Federal Election Day: September 20, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: September 12-19, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: September 5-12, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: August 29-September 5, 2021

SAMbot Federal Election: August 22-29, 2021

Humans of the House Episode 1: You Wanna Run?

Would you ever run for political office? For many of us, “politician” is the last job title we’d ever consider.

SAMbot Federal Election: August 15–22, 2021

Humans of the House: Trailer

In Humans of the House, we are on a journey that explores the human side of politics. Prepare to be surprised, maybe even moved, by the real lives of Members of Parliament.

Learning Loss as Civic Loss: Addressing the Generational Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth Democratic Engagement

Learn more about the state of youth civic learning and engagement in the context of the pandemic.

SAMbot 2022 Ontario Election Report

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in the 2022 Ontario election by monitoring the public Twitter accounts candidates and official parties.

SAMbot 2021 Federal Election Report

SAMbot tracked toxic tweets in the 2022 Federal election by monitoring the Twitter accounts of incumbent candidates and party leaders.

Real House Lives

Tragedy in the Commons: Former Members of Parliament Speak Out about Canada's Failing Democracy

Tragedy in the Commons is a 2014 book written by the co-founders of The Samara Centre for Democracy, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan

Introducing Our Next Executive Director: Sabreena Delhon

Introducing our new Executive Director for the Samara Centre for Democracy

Samara, Canada, and Democracy: A Consequential Moment

Democracy is needed, now more than ever.

New publication — Policy Options article examines how pandemic school closures have compromised the resilience of our democracy 

Pandemic school closures not only damages achievement and well-being for students; it also compromises civic learning and engagement.

Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: For Elected Representatives

This infographic provides advice for political leaders who want to make political discourse more productive and civil, both online and in person.

Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: How to Argue with Civility

We look at why civility matters, and how to debate the issues with mutual respect.

Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: How to Spot a Bot

This infographic provides advice about how to spot and engage with bots and bad actors and online.

Field Guide to Online Political Conversations: How to Overcome Big Emotions

This infographic looks at why conversations are so different on social media, and how to move from your gut to your brain.

Bring back the Bots: How Twitter’s latest change threatens our democracy

We explain how ending free Twitter API access is a huge blow to research efforts.

Samara Centre for Democracy Advises on Hybrid Proceedings Before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

We provided the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) recommendations for virtual hybrid House and committee proceedings.

Words Left Unsaid: Racial Inequality and Policy-Making in Canada

Our Executive Director, Sabreena Delhon spoke on a panel discussion about race and policy-making in Canada.

A Look Back on 2022

A selection of highlights and publications from the Samara Centre in 2022.

The Reform Act Revisited

Canada’s Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent their constituents by debating and voting on proposed legislation in the House of Commons.

Beyond the Barbecue: Reimagining Constituency Work for Local Democratic Engagement

A new vision for constituency offices as civic hubs and outposts of Parliament, rather than service centres.

The Real House Lives: Strengthening the Role of MPs in an Age of Partisanship

Peeking behind the curtain into the hidden world of leader-dominated, hyper-partisan party caucuses.

Don't Blame "The People": The Rise of Elite-Led Populism in Canada

This report uses new data to help answer the question: is Canada having a populist moment? And if so, why is that a problem?

Locally Grown: A Survey of Municipal Politicians in Canada

We analyze survey data from municipal leaders across Canada to better understand how local politicians experience public life.

Cheering or Jeering? Members of Parliament Open Up About Civility in the House of Commons

In the spring of 2015, the Samara Centre surveyed Members of the 41st Parliament on their experiences with heckling in the House of Commons.

No One Is Listening: Incivility in the 42nd Parliament, and how to fix it

That's the gentle, colourless way that Hansard, Parliament's official written record, has often recorded heckling in the House of Commons for the last 150 years. But "Oh, oh" is an understatement.

Elephant on the Hill

In the spring of 2018, 266 political staff of Members of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, and Senators took part in an anonymous survey about their perception and experiences of sexual harassment and assault in their workplace.

The 2018 Member of Parliament Survey

In the spring of 2018, the Samara Centre for Democracy continued its annual tradition of surveying current Members of Parliament.