2020 Members by Province and Territory

2020 Assembly membership

Gender

Housing

Other Attributes (Statistics Canada designations):

Francophone: 9
Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit persons: 3
Visible Minority: 8

Learn more about the civic lottery selection process

2020 Member profiles

Alejandra Balanzario Gutierrez: Ormstown, Québec: I was born in Mexico City and lived in Mexico before moving to Canada in 2011. I live in Ormstown, QC, with my husband, who is Canadian. I have a professional degree in hospitality management, but have always preferred being self-employed in the arts and crafts field. I'm currently working on a personal website. I joined the Citizens’ Assembly because I would love to collaborate with other Canadians to improve the use of the internet and make it a safer place for everyone.

Alexi Guindon Riopel: Orleans, Ontario: My name is Alexi and I was born in 2000, in Ottawa. I have lived in this city my whole life, and I am now in my third year at the University of Ottawa in the Criminology program. I have been working at Cora’s Breakfast and Lunch for over three years in the kitchen, and I have been working for Students for Seniors since 2018, where I help seniors familiarize themselves with their electronics. I also created a server hosting company with a few friends this year. Right now, I am mostly focusing my time on my studies and work, but in my free time, I enjoy participating in outdoor activities. I plan on possibly pursuing my studies in law in the future.

Benoit Laberge: Montréal, Québec: Born in Montreal in 1981, I grew up in the surrounding suburbs during my youth to finally return and raise a family with my wife in my native city. For the past 13 years, I have worked for a democratic union organization and I offer daily support to unions in the struggle to have their occupational health and safety rights respected. I love meeting new people, exchanging ideas with them, and debating the issues that relate to work environments or society in general. I am also a great lover of board games and never miss an opportunity to play with friends (except during the pandemic!). When time allows, I like to spend time in the gym, read stories to my kids, and prepare meals for my sweetheart.

Bonnie Smith: Frankville, Nova Scotia: Having spent all my life in Nova Scotia, I am very proud to call Frankville my home for over 37 years. Being the youngest of nine siblings, compromise, listening skills, and fast running were second nature to me growing up. My parents instilled in me the power of voting, the need to participate in making Canada a great place to live for everyone, and mostly the importance of being kind to all. These are traits I have passed on to my children. I am known as “Gigi” to my three beautiful great-grandchildren, and I love nothing more than visiting and spoiling them as much as humanly possible. Gardening, reading, loving the pups that have been in our life over the years (a rescue called Mocha at the moment), and camping are a few of my favourite pastimes. I was extremely honoured to be chosen to be a part of this democratic process. I do believe the impact of the digital world must be regulated and monitored for the safety and enjoyment of all.

Bruce Cluff: Ochre Beach, Manitoba: I live in Ochre Beach, Manitoba, and grew up in Island Falls in Saskatchewan. My father ran the general store for Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting for a small community that ran the hydro dam for the mine. I went to school from Grade 3 onwards in Flin Flon, Manitoba. I started at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting in a sample prep department and worked my way to a position in a laboratory. I worked there for 37 years before retiring, and knew the place by heart. I enjoyed working and living in the country — I love fishing and the outdoors. I continue to be active and enjoy the country through my cabin. I have some thoughts on the electronic age, and accepted the invitation because I found the Assembly idea interesting.

Camile Tremblay: Frankville, Nova Scotia: I was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, in 1950. That makes me 70 years old. I spent most of my working life employed for the Federal government. I started in the Navy as a radar plotter in 1968. I moved to Nova Scotia, where I met my wife and got married in 1970. After the birth of my second child and eight years in the Forces, we figured that we would try civilian life. I spent about one and a half years as a furnace repair apprentice and propane delivery person. In 1980, the Canadian Coast Guard opened a new “Emergency Centre” branch, where I was hired as an equipment operator. This centre was located in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, which is very near Cape Breton. After nine years in Coast Guard Emergency Operations, a new branch of Transport Canada opened up, “Transportation of Dangerous Goods.” This is where I worked until my retirement in the spring of 2011. I am still married to Theresa, my wife of 50 years. We have three wonderful children, who have brought us four grandchildren. Some of my hobbies include wine making and pyrography. I consider myself very lucky to have a wonderful family, a good work history, and the retirement that we are enjoying presently. The reason I applied for the Citizens’ Assembly is to find out more about the democratic process, something that I have lived with all my life and would like to learn more about.

Cheryl Lloyd: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan: I volunteered for this Citizens’ Assembly because I am, among other things, a writer. Some parts of this Assembly, as I understand it so far, will affect me directly. I have taken several distance education courses at the university level, mostly on different writing styles. I volunteer at the local museum as a data entry clerk (and I’m learning a lot about local history at the same time), and I am also involved in both a local writers’ group and a stitchers’ guild. I currently herd cats in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. I moved here to go back to school after I left fixing aircraft in the Canadian Armed Forces. I am also an amateur radio operator.

Christina Tzournavelis: L'Assomption, Québec: I am a woman, a mother, and a musician. For the past year, I have held the position of Talent Development Advisor for the video game industry. More precisely, I offer training to develop employees’ relational and communications skills. For about a decade, I also worked for a community organization in the fight to keep kids in school. I am deeply concerned when it comes to the issues that target people’s quality of life. I need to be socially involved, to do my part. I chose to participate in the Citizens’ Assembly in part to meet my own needs, but also because I find the subject highly relevant. 

Cindy Kozak-Campbell: Kamloops, British Columbia: I am from Kamloops, BC — my husband and I moved recently from the Kootenays. I appreciate this opportunity to participate in the conversation and make a civic contribution. I bring the average person's perspective: I use technology regularly but may not always consider its impact on human rights and democracy. I am a recently retired health care leader and registered nurse. My career focused on quality seniors’ care. In health care, I see benefits to technology that definitely impact human rights — both confidentiality and security of information. I am an outdoor enthusiast, local food bank volunteer, and board member of the Kamloops Outdoor Club.

Claire Sormany: Quebec City, Quebec: With a degree in law and public relations, I practiced as an attorney for a short time before reorienting my career to communications and marketing. Among other things, I created and managed the Information and Promotion Office at Laval University. In the second half of my career, I worked as an independent marketing consultant among Canadian educational institutions before taking my retirement in 2019. Having spent my life in a sector where digital communications play a crucial role, I am particularly sensitive to the disruptions caused by the use of digital technology. Participating in the Citizen Assembly offers me the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a vision of society based on democratic expression and a chance to influence the decisions to follow. This is what motivates me!

Daniel Dyck: La Crete, Alberta: My name is Daniel Dyck. I was born in the city of Saskatoon in the province of Saskatchewan. When I was five, my parents moved to northern Alberta where I grew up on a mixed farm. Here, I learned numerous skills. My eight siblings and I grew up on this farm with no TV, so whenever we saw a movie at school we would be ecstatic. Education was not highly promoted in my day and therefore I missed out significantly, acquiring a Grade 8 education. Later in life, I took upgrading to achieve a Grade 12 diploma. I joined the workforce at a young age and learned many hands-on skills. After numerous years of carpentry work, I gained a position with the school board maintenance department as a foreman and later became a supervisor of maintenance, a position that I hold to this day. I have six children with my wife Margaret — three boys and three girls. Our children all attended the public school system and did not watch any TV either. I believe they are now quite capable of making good life choices. I enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, and many hands-on chores on the hobby farm that we live on. To this day we have a few head of cattle, chickens, turkeys, etc. I grew up as a Mennonite Christian, a faith I still hold fast to, and I believe in the Trinity. If we have been a good citizen in society, we will be blessed with a spiritual afterlife, praising God eternally. It is my hope that through this Citizens’ Assembly experience, our government will gain a few tools to make wise choices for the future of our children, our grandchildren, and everyone around them.

David Lloyd: Hamilton, Ontario: My name is David Lloyd. I’m a published and award-winning media arts professional based in Ontario, and founder of the creative agency DCP and the Kithedral Beach Association. As a passionate digital native and son of a computer programmer, I take great interest in responsible, inclusive, and innovative growth in tech and art. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area enabled me to experience a wide variety of cultures, which has definitely influenced my love for travel, film, sports, and live entertainment.

Divya Shastry: Milton, Ontario: I have been a permanent resident of this beautiful country for close to three years now and originally hail from India. I moved to Canada in 2017 after marrying my husband. I’ve been a market analyst and sales professional in the steel industry for the past seven years. By passion, I am an Indian classical music vocalist and an amateur baker. Technology has a great impact on all of our lives in one way or another, so I’m excited to be given this opportunity to analyze how we can strengthen the good and eliminate the bad from technology.

Evelyne Doyon: Plessisville, Québec: Native of Saint-Guillaume, I had the pleasure of growing up in the country. Because education was a strong family value, I continued my studies at the Collège Notre-Dame-de-L’Assomption and completed my undergraduate degree in ergotherapy at Laval University. Beginning in adolescence, current events were a subject of debate with my parents and my friends. So much so that I sought to understand our political system through the Forum for Young Canadians. During the week I spent on Parliament Hill, I was thrilled to meet Canadians from across the country. I am of the generation who became familiar with computer technology in high school. As the mother of two young adults, I often seek their help in navigating the digital world. Now, the Citizens’ Assembly will allow me to expand my knowledge and take time to reflect on the impact of technology in our democratic society. (Submitted in French)

Fauzia Bajwa: St. Bruno, Québec: I am of Pakistani descent, was born and raised in the UK, and have had the rare privilege of living in four countries on three continents. I studied Computer Science at university and subsequently worked as a software developer in technology companies large and small. While I find digital technology fascinating, what piques my interest even more is the impact it has on our society and on the way we lead our lives. The confluence of innovations that gave us global, mobile, and comprehensive access to information has also brought significant threats to our privacy and autonomy. These issues have been of concern to me for a while, so when I received the invitation to be part of this Citizens’ Assembly, I jumped at the opportunity. I hope that we can explore ways of embracing our digital lives while safeguarding our priceless freedoms. I now live in beautiful St. Bruno, Québec — a true paradise on earth. 

*Gary Fisher: Grande Prairie, Alberta: I have lived in Grande Prairie since 1999, but I’m originally from Seattle, Washington, USA. I moved to Canada to pursue a relationship. I like Grande Prairie for its ethnic diversity and for its being a hub for the oil and gas industry. I am a Red Seal Steamfitter/Pipefitter and high school graduate. I have worked in oil and gas since 2005. I previously worked for the Department of Defense in the United States. I have volunteered to support summer games in Grande Prairie. I love the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking. I played softball with the Grande Prairie senior league for 12 years and played in several senior summer games. I volunteered for the Assembly because I was curious to see what this was about. I don’t use social media or the computer much anymore, and I felt I could learn something new and maybe give some helpful input.

Greg Howard: Iqaluit, Nunavut: I grew up in Ottawa and came to Iqaluit, Nunavut, in April of 1992. At the time, I worked for the airline First Air, now Canadian North. I worked there for 24 years. Now I’m semi-retired, working for a friend of mine at an electrical contracting company. My wife Bonnie has been working for the government for many years. When I got the invitation to volunteer for the Citizens’ Assembly, I was curious about the process — it was the first time I ever saw something like that. I also thought the topic of how technology affects our society was an interesting one. I’ve never actually seen a Facebook political ad on my feed, so I’m curious to know more about the election angle.

Henry Bordeleau: Vernon, British Columbia: I’m originally from Alberta, but when we were kids my family moved to different places in Alberta and B.C. every few years. My dad was an insurance adjuster and he was transferred numerous times to various cities and towns throughout Alberta and BC. I live in BC now, and so do my sister and dad. During my employment life I've had a number of jobs — woodworker, tow truck driver, electrician, cab driver, computer repair technician, Systems Analyst, IT Technical Consultant, and Automation Systems Technologist — but I’ve been retired for five years now. I volunteered for the Citizens Assembly because I felt that I needed to get involved in something stimulating and this fit the bill.

Jagar Mohammad: Hamilton, Ontario: I was born in Kurdistan, Iraq, and lived in Greece for five years before moving to Canada in 1995. I live in Hamilton, Ontario, with my wife and two boys. I have been working in Burlington, Ontario, as a computer technician since January 2008. I enjoy helping users with their computer issues and answering any IT-related questions. I joined the Citizens’ Assembly to learn about the important issues at hand and help make things better for everyone. I’m excited to find out what I can accomplish. In my spare time, I enjoy biking with my kids.

Jenn Baldry: Grande Prairie, Alberta: I am originally from a small town in British Columbia but I have lived in Grande Prairie, Alberta, for the past 25 years. Grande Prairie is a small city with a big city feel. It’s only a four-hour drive to Edmonton or to Jasper and the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I enjoy living here for all the opportunities for employment in many different industries, all the great stores for shopping, and all the great schools and family activities available. I currently own a courier company. I have two boys aged 30 and 19 and a one-year-old grandson. I love to travel, play golf, and spend time with my family. I applied for the Assembly because of what I see on digital media sites and the harm that false misleading information can cause. I am looking forward to working with my fellow Canadians and hearing what their ideas are on making a positive change to what is accepted in today’s society on digital technologies.

Jerard San Juan: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan: I am a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines. My family moved to Canada in 2008 — and since then everything got better. I joined the Citizens’ Assembly because I do not want Canada to follow the Philippines’s unjust policies regarding speech. Sharing my perspective as a former outsider is the least I can do for my new home.

Joanne Gillis: Corner Brook, Newfoundland: My family has deep roots in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. My husband and I were both born and raised here, and so were our parents. I currently work with the Memorial University at the Grenfell campus here in Corner Brook where I help the faculty administer the Master’s program in Art and Environmental Policy. My earlier career has included: an on/off stint as admissions officer at the McKinley Canada Career College; working in various avenues of economic development with the regional economic development boards; being a business advisor with the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs; and working with Member of Parliament Gudie Hutchings. I have a diploma and a degree in business administration, and I’m set to start a Master’s program soon in Adult Education and Community Development. I love spending time with family and friends and going on walks with our two dogs. I also enjoy hiking and reading. When I received the invitation, I did my own research about what a Citizens’ Assembly was and what purpose it served. I think this is a great opportunity to meet people from across the country and have my say in the different things going on in Canada with regard to social media. I’m interested in knowing what can be done to filter out fake news and ensure that any and all information conveyed to the public is accurate.

Joyce Hu: Brampton, Ontario: I am a student currently working in the accounting profession. I have moved frequently from city to city but have always stayed close to home in the Greater Toronto Area. As an individual growing up in the digital era, I recognize the substantial impact that online content has on our daily lives, growth, and thinking. I joined the Citizens’ Assembly because this is a relevant topic that I am passionate about. I am very eager for this opportunity to share my viewpoints, give back to my community, and hopefully bring about change in a positive direction.

Judy Tyrrell: Kamloops, British Columbia: My name is Judith Anne Tyrrell — but I go by Judy. I grew up in the lower mainland of British Columbia but live in Kamloops. I worked in the health care profession for 42 years and retired about four years ago. I like to do volunteer work in the community. I have four grown children and 11 grandchildren. One son and his family are in Alberta, and the rest are here in B.C. I also manage my parents’ care. My family keeps me quite busy. In terms of computers, the internet, and technology, I consider myself a learner — for example, copy-and-paste is new to me. I volunteered for the Citizens’ Assembly because I wanted to make sure that people like me who are not technologically savvy are fairly represented. I am looking forward to learning about how technologies are impacting people of different ages and backgrounds. 

Junior Denny: Eel Ground, New Brunswick: I am a 51-year-old Indigenous man from the Natoaganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation community near Miramichi, New Brunswick. Natoaganeg is a small Mi’kmaq community with an approximate population of 1,000 members and is nestled on the banks of the renowned Miramichi River. I have experience within the political arena, having served as a two-time elected band council representative for my community. In addition to this, I was a New Brunswick Green Party candidate in 2018 and have served on numerous boards and committees within the Atlantic region. I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding Indigenous issues ranging from economic development to human resources and social development. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy being active in and around the local service district. I am currently a member of the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce and have served as past president of the local Toastmasters International club as well as vice-president of the Miramichi Shrine Club. I am also active in Northumberland Lodge No. 17, Free and Accepted Masons, and was recently elected as head of this organization — the first Indigenous man to hold the title in the 160-year history of this fraternity. I am also a member of the Moncton Valley Scottish Rite, Ancient and Accepted Freemasons, and hold the rank of 32nd degree Master Mason.

Kenneth Peel: Toronto, Ontario: My name is Ken Peel. I’ve been a lawyer in Ontario since 1977, and have been active since 1983 in Canada’s railway law and transportation sectors as counsel, advisor, and advocate. This work has involved federal issues as well as matters in almost every province — including an issue in Nunavut. I was born in Montreal and grew up in Québec. I attended university in Montreal as a political science undergrad. I was interested in constitutional and Parliamentary matters. At school I was also quite engaged in social issues and debate with the Quebec Youth Parliament — eventually becoming its Premier. Summer work included a couple of years researching multicultural communities and, later, two summers of work in Ottawa on international matters with “External Affairs.” I am married to Katherine — a writer. We had two sons: Lucas was lost to cancer at age 25, while John is a medical doctor. John is now working toward a Ph.D. in anaesthesiology at the University of Toronto. I’ve been ever curious and a keen follower of news and public affairs and a reader of history. I am interested in fine arts, plays, dance, and music. I am also a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and have fond memories of Expos. I’m looking forward to sharing in the learning and discussions with fellow Citizens’ Assembly members.

Linda Bourgault: Quebec City, Quebec: I was born and raised until my teen years in a small Quebec town near the U.S. border dominated by the forestry industry. Early on, I began my career as an administrative assistant, first in a law firm and later for a large financial organization, Desjardins. I now live in Quebec City. As soon as I learned to read, reading became my greatest passion and still is today. Reading allowed me to discover the world, our varied history, and the complexities of mankind’s actions. I am married, have no children, and lead a simple life. Since retirement, I donate my time to the Quebec Museum of Civilization, the Quebec Library, as well as various community outreach organizations. In 2021, I will live my childhood dream of travelling across Canada, east to west. I am very enthusiastic to participate in this civic consultation on such a fascinating topic. It is an opportunity for me to connect with my Canadian identity as well as to sit at the same table with co-citizens from other provinces and territories.

*Maynard Angus: Prince Rupert, British Columbia: I was born in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. For most of my life, l lived on the northwest coast of B.C., where my father made his living as a commercial fisherman. I am of First Nations descent and a member of the Nisga’a Nation. I have worked in a corporate environment for most of my career. Currently, I lead Indigenous relations activities to support the Port of Prince Rupert's business development objectives. Also, I develop and manage the operations of Indigenous relations programs. I run a part-time business that identifies gaps where corporate Canada and Indigenous communities have been unable to find common ground due to differing cultures. Partially attributed to the evolution of my business is a paper I am writing, titled “Coalition of Equals – Finding Third Space.” To put it succinctly, the paper highlights the need to bring equality to the Indigenous peoples of Canada in a Third Space environment.

Melanie Watson: Duncan, British Columbia: I am a first-generation Canadian and grew up in a rural setting on the southern end of Vancouver Island. In my lifetime, I have gone from writing letters, listening to radio and records, and watching two channels on a black-and-white TV, to utilizing the myriad of media we have today. I am very interested to be part of looking at how technology is impacting the health of our democratic society. I believe democracy is an idea that needs to be practised and constantly examined for it to remain truly relevant for everyone (this is not something I think Canada has attained yet). I have been lucky enough to live in a few different places around the world and to have had a varied career path from musician to teacher to winery manager. My current passion is running a small cinema at my local community centre. I look forward to meeting with the group this fall in whatever way we can.

Motasem Salem: Mississauga, Ontario: I am married and live with my wife and three children. My family and I moved to Canada and made it home about six years ago. As a new Canadian, I'm excited to participate in the Citizens' Assembly and to learn from and collaborate with such a diverse group of passionate Canadians. I would like to think that through this contribution, I am playing a small part in shaping a better future for my children and their generation and preparing them to face future challenges. I work in the field of software engineering and data analysis. Before moving to Canada, I worked for multinational companies in the Middle East and Europe. I also previously worked in management consulting firms that served enterprise clients such as financial institutions and government agencies on various technology-related initiatives. 

Nancy Christie: North York, Ontario: Retired and living in Toronto, I was pleased to be offered the opportunity to actively participate in Canadian democracy through the Citizens’ Assembly. I have long had an interest in politics and political processes. Exploring the ways that technology is impacting our democracy, and possibly contributing to how Canada addresses and manages the impact of digital technologies, I expect, will be both challenging and fun. Having had the opportunity to work nationally and internationally in the not-for-profit sector, I hope my breadth of experience will bring a useful perspective to the discussions.

Nathan Ray: Edmonton, Alberta: I grew up in Edmonton and have a sister that is two years younger than me. She is finishing a Political Economy degree. Both my parents grew up on family farms in Alberta. My mom is a retired teacher and my dad is a retired petrochemical/oilfield worker. We have always talked about politics, democracy, and finance in our household so I am grateful for this opportunity to participate in a Citizens’ Assembly. I have an Instrumentation diploma from NAIT and commercial drivers license. I have worked a variety of jobs from soccer referee to political canvassing to currently Conductor at CN. I have also been lucky enough to travel and visit five continents so far. In my spare time I love to be social with friends and family, taking in the variety of activities Edmonton has to offer.

Paula Mowat: Whitehorse, Yukon: I grew up in the Yukon, and feel lucky to have been able to return home after post-secondary studies and draw on my background in public health to work in policy and program development. I enjoy spending time outside with friends and family, and curling up with a good book. When I received the initial letter in the mail about the Citizens’ Assembly, it felt like a lottery ticket win – I didn’t know that this was a process that existed, but being provided the opportunity to connect and engage with other Canadians around how digital technology may be impacting our democratic systems seems so timely and so important. I look forward to participating in this process.

Pierre Pilon: Gatineau, Québec: I am a native of the Outaouais region of Quebec and hold a bachelor's degree in administration from the University of Quebec in Outaouais. I worked as a civil servant in the federal government, mainly in IT. My career has given me a lot as I worked in several ministries and in different functions, including that of middle manager. This great career spanned a period of 35 years. I have been retired since 2007 and it is important for me to be involved in my community by volunteering for different causes. I believe that the Assembly allowed us to gather and communicate, and I was able to express my vision of what should be done in order to better regulate digital technologies of the 21st century for the common good.

Rhéal Poirier: Winnipeg, Manitoba: I am a Franco-Manitoban Métis who grew up in the very small French town of Otterburne, Manitoba. I have been a resident of Winnipeg for about 20 years, where I live with my wife and two young daughters. I am in the process of a career change from being a graphic designer to being an educator and will begin my studies this fall in the Faculty of Education at the Université de Saint-Boniface. This spring I obtained a Bachelor of Science from USB. My interests include spending time with my family, running, orienteering, camping, playing board games, and learning about various topics. I am looking forward to participating in this Assembly as I believe that our digital information and our digital personas are as important as our passport, our social insurance number, or our face-to-face interactions.

Sara-Jayne Dempster: Inuvik, Northwest Territories: I’ve lived in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, for eight years. We moved from the Greater Toronto Area in 2012 and have never looked back! Our family loves our small town and our close-knit community. I work for the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority as a Medical Billing Administrator. My education background is in Health Information Management and I'm currently working on my Bachelor's degree in Health Administration through Athabasca University. My biggest hobby seems to be education at this point as I have been a full-time student for the better part of four years now, though I am trying to learn to garden this year. I'm pretty excited about growing vegetables in the Arctic! I'm also the second vice-president of the Ladies Auxiliary at our local Legion and the secretary for our Union Local. My husband actually signed me up for the Assembly. I hope I can bring a thoughtful perspective and learn a lot during our time together.

Sharon Ramshaw: Oshawa, Ontario: I was born in Bowmanville, Ontario. I grew up on a farm outside of Blackstock, Ontario. I moved to Oshawa after marriage and had two daughters. I was widowed in 1994. I completed Grade 13 at Cartwright High School, and took courses in dental reception, dental radiography, and computers at Durham College and George Brown College. I worked in a dental office as receptionist/office manager for 20 years before retiring in 2010. I have two grandchildren who are the love of my life. I enjoy going on cruises, knitting, crocheting, reading, and watching crime shows on TV. I decided to volunteer for the Assembly after reading the information package that was sent. It sounded appealing and like something that would be worth doing.

*Sky Ford: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: My name is Sky Ford. I'm 23 years old, and starting a paramedicine post-secondary program in September. I have lived in beautiful (but tiny) Prince Edward Island my whole life. My hobbies include gaming, reading, hiking, and spending time with my animals. I'm a member of the LGBTQ community, and I love attending our pride parade every year! I'm also an avid animal rights activist; my passion is helping to make a difference in the world. I want to be a part of this Citizens’ Assembly to learn more about the harm caused by digital technologies and give my input on how we might be able to reduce that harm.

Stephanie Maksym: Kitchener, Ontario: My name is Stephanie Maksym. I grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, and moved to Kitchener 11 years ago. I retired from a market research firm where I worked as a researcher-interviewer. I have three sons: one in the Kitchener area, one in Toronto, and one who has moved back to Simcoe. I live in a retirement community and enjoy my local ladies’ group and book club. When I got the Citizens’ Assembly invitation in the mail, I thought the issue was valid and interesting, which made me want to volunteer. I think a lot of people don’t fully appreciate or think about how much our lives have been changed by technology. 

Tim Vining: Toronto, Ontario: I am of Cajun francophone descent and originate from Southern Louisiana. Professionally, I have done a variety of jobs that include practising as a labour lawyer with an emphasis on anti-racism and employment discrimination, teaching at the high school and university level, working as executive director of a social justice organizing centre, working as coordinator for an Indigenous women’s emergency shelter in Toronto, and working as an Estates Analyst with the Ministry of the Attorney General. In addition, I lived with homeless men in my home state of Louisiana for over eight years. I currently work with the OPSEU Indigenous Circle as a Human Rights Officer. I and my partner Steve have been blissfully married for 30 years.

Tyler Collins: Stephenville, Newfoundland: My name is Tyler Collins, and I live in Stephenville, Newfoundland. It’s a small town with a population of maybe 5,000 surrounded by mountains all around and right beside the ocean. I love the place and have lived here my whole life. I have a daughter aged 8 and a stepson who’s 19. I’ve been working as a retail representative at Canadian Tire for the past six years. I’m a pretty avid gamer. When I read the Assembly invitation, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t not take: the rare chance to learn about something new and give my input on issues that matter. I think technology, while definitely useful in many ways, is now getting a bit out of hand. I’m concerned about the effects of social media and cyberbullying on children — I fear my eight-year-old getting on Facebook and being exposed to its dangers. Technology use must be focused more on health care and diagnostics, rather than social media.  

Valerie Dussault: Mirabel, Quebec: I am 33 years old and the mother of two beautiful children, a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. My daughter has special needs, and we are currently awaiting a diagnosis. I found it important, especially in light of her difficulties, to take the chance I have with this democratic assembly to perhaps change certain things that will help protect her in the future. Also, for my son who will be confronted with living in a world where the Internet takes priority over human contact and where networks dominate almost everything, especially for young people. For the past 15 years, I have worked for the City of Montreal which allows me to see the impact a population can have and how important it is to listen. I completed an undergraduate degree in business administration in order to better develop my skills in this sector. What fascinates me most of all is change management and I believe that this Assembly is a reflection of how society was forced to adapt very quickly to a technological age that brings its share of positive and negative aspects. I am happy to know that my voice can have an influence on the decisions that will be made in a democratic manner in order to find balance and solutions so that everyone can have the feeling that their voices were heard. 

*Could not continue based on change in schedule in response to pandemic.

What is a civic lottery?

A civic lottery is a balanced way of selecting members of a citizens’ assembly. It is based on a form of sortition that uses mailed invitations and a randomized selection process to recruit members, which gives disparate members of a community an equal opportunity to be heard.

How did the Assembly's civic lottery work?

English and French invitations were written and designed by the Assembly staff and endorsed by the Commission. The invitation consisted of an invitation envelope, a letter, a frequently asked questions sheet, a response card, and a pre-paid response envelope.

To read the invitation, click here.

12,500 invitations were printed and mailed to randomly selected addresses across Canada, taking into account population distribution and ensuring that rural, suburban, and urban addresses received invitations. Randomly selected addresses and home phone numbers were supplied by Canada Post.

Nearly 400 people responded to the invitation to volunteer.

Assembly staff set up a toll-free hotline in both English and French which potential volunteers could call to ask questions or register over the phone. Volunteers could also register securely online or by mailing back the response card in the pre-paid response envelope.

The letters were mailed with the intention of giving potential volunteers 50 to 60 days to respond to the invitation.

In addition, two telephone reminders were broadcast to the mailing list. The first announced changes to the Assembly dates and process (in response to the pandemic) and the second was a reminder about the volunteer deadline.

Once the response deadline passed, the 42 "winners" were determined through a stratified and randomized draw —the civic lottery— that balanced for gender, age, and geography, as well as other predetermined representative criteria. This ensured that volunteers selected as Assembly members were broadly representative of the breadth and diversity of the country.

Looking for even more information? See How to run a Civic Lottery, a technical guide that provides step-by-step instructions.

How did the pandemic affect the selection process?

The Assembly dates and process changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of meeting over four days in Winnipeg in May and Ottawa in June, the Assembly was delayed to fall 2020.

When the pandemic worsened , the Assembly first adopted hybrid plan that would begin with online meetings and conclude with four days of face-to-face meetings. The Assembly first met online during early fall with the plan to meet in person in Ottawa in late fall.

However, as restrictions tightened, the Assembly adapted its process a third time and final time, moving all of its sessions online.

When the Assembly was initially postponed to the autumn, six members withdrew from the process and were replaced by randomly selecting individuals from the pool of volunteers. When the Assembly was revised again to include additional online sessions and stretch into December, three other members withdrew due to family and professional commitments. These members were not replaced.

What were the representative criteria used to select members?

1. Self-identified gender

2. Age group

3. Province/Territory

4. Urban/Rural

5. Housing type (Income proxy)

6. Francophone/Anglophone

7. Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person

8. Visible Minority

The Assembly follows Statistics Canada’s definitions for each demographic criteria