Statement by the Leader of the Liberal Party on the International Day of Democracy

September 15, 2019

The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of Democracy:

“In every election, we get to make a choice about the future of our country. We get to decide what we want to achieve, and who we want to be as Canadians. As members of a democracy, this is our right and our responsibility. All of us can directly shape the future we want to see – for our families, our communities, and all our fellow Canadians.

“On the International Day of Democracy, we celebrate the democratic tradition that empowers us all and keeps Canada moving forward.

“Yet around the world, in 2019, democracy is increasingly under attack. And in recent years, we’ve seen an assault on journalists and the free press – the beating heart of democracy worldwide.

“It’s up to all of us to not only safeguard our democracy, but to strengthen it. That means using our vote to make our voices heard – but casting our ballot is just the beginning. From taking part in a town hall meeting, to helping our kids learn how their government works, we build our democracy together every day. The smallest of actions count.

“This fall, Canadians will once again get to vote for the kind of Canada they want to live in. While some politicians threaten to pull us backward, Canadians will have the choice to keep moving forward. We have spent the last four years building toward better. Now, we have the chance to continue that progress, together.

“Today, I urge Canadians to celebrate the power and responsibility we have – thanks to our democracy – to shape our country and our world. Let’s make the most of it, stand united, and choose forward – for all of us.”