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Blue Chez Nous

Civic Toolkit

Start Here

A simple civic guide for Canadians

New to politics, or just trying to understand it better? Start Here is a simple civic guide for Canadians who want to follow the news with more confidence. We explain how government works, who makes which decisions, and how political choices show up in your family, community, and own backyard.

Choose Where To Start

Pick a topic that matches what you want to learn first. Each section is short, plain-language, and built to be useful, not overwhelming.

Understanding Government

Learn which level of government does what, and who represents you federally and provincially.

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Contacting Representatives

Learn how to contact your MP, MNA, mayor, or councillor with a clear and respectful message.

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Reading The News

Learn how to identify sources, separate facts from reaction, and understand what a story really means.

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Getting Involved

Simple ways to participate in civic life — voting, volunteering, joining a local association, and stepping into leadership.

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Section

Understanding Government

Federal, Provincial, Municipal: Who Does What?

Not every political issue belongs to the same level of government. This guide helps you understand who is responsible for what, so you know where decisions are made and who to contact when something affects your family or community.

Canada has three main levels of government that affect daily life: federal, provincial, and municipal.

The federal government handles national issues such as immigration, defence, foreign policy, criminal law, federal taxes, national programs, and Canada's relationship with other countries.

The provincial government handles many services people feel directly, including health care, education, provincial roads, language policy, natural resources, and many family and social services. In Quebec, provincial politics is especially important because it also shapes language, culture, identity, and how public services are delivered.

Municipal governments handle local services such as garbage collection, zoning, local roads, public transit, parks, libraries, snow removal, housing permits, and local community planning.

Why it matters

If you know which level of government is responsible, you can better understand the news, ask better questions, and contact the right elected official.

Try this

The next time you read a political story, ask: is this federal, provincial, or municipal?

What Is An MP, And What Is An MNA?

Your elected representatives are supposed to bring local concerns into government. This guide explains the difference between an MP and an MNA, and why both matter.

An MP, or Member of Parliament, represents your federal riding in Ottawa. MPs vote on federal laws, debate national issues, help constituents with federal programs, and bring local concerns to Parliament.

An MNA, or Member of the National Assembly, represents your provincial riding in Quebec City. MNAs vote on Quebec laws, debate provincial issues, help constituents with provincial services, and represent local concerns at the National Assembly.

In Quebec, both roles matter. Your MP may deal with issues like immigration, federal taxes, national security, or Canada–U.S. relations. Your MNA may deal with health care, schools, language policy, roads, family services, and many parts of daily life.

Why it matters

When something affects your life, knowing whether to contact your MP or MNA can save time and make your voice more effective.

Try this

Find the name of your MP and your MNA and save their contact pages.

Section

Contacting Representatives

How To Contact Your Elected Official

You can contact your elected representative for many reasons. They are there to serve the people in their riding, district, city, or community.

You do not need to be an expert, and you do not need to wait until you have a perfect argument. You can contact your MP, MNA, mayor, or councillor to ask a question, raise a concern, share how an issue affects your family, request help with a government service, or ask where a decision is being made.

The first step is to understand what kind of issue you are dealing with, then find the right level of government to contact.

Federal issues usually go to your MP.

Examples may include immigration, passports, federal taxes, national programs, criminal law, defence, foreign policy, and Canada-wide legislation.

Quebec provincial issues usually go to your MNA.

Examples may include health care, education, language policy, provincial roads, family services, housing policy, and many public services in Quebec.

Municipal issues usually go to your mayor or city councillor.

Examples may include snow removal, garbage collection, zoning, local roads, parks, libraries, public transit, permits, and local budgets.

A good message should include:

  • Who you are
  • Where you live
  • What issue or question you are contacting them about
  • How it affects your family, work, neighbourhood, or community
  • Whether you are asking for help, information, action, or clarification
  • A respectful closing

Example message

Hello, my name is [Name], and I live in [Community]. I am contacting you about [Issue or Question]. I am not sure whether this falls under federal, provincial, or municipal responsibility, but I would appreciate your guidance. This matters to my family/community because [Reason]. Could you please let me know whether your office can help, or direct me to the right place? Thank you for your time.

Why it matters

Elected officials are there to hear from the people they represent. Contacting them is not bothering them; it is part of civic life.

Try this

Think of one issue, question, or service problem you care about. Then ask: is this federal, provincial, or municipal?

Find Your Representatives

Not sure who represents you? Start with your postal code, riding, or municipality. Your MP handles federal issues, your MNA handles Quebec provincial issues, and your mayor or councillor handles local services like roads, zoning, garbage, parks, libraries, and municipal budgets.

Find Your MP

Federal

Find your federal Member of Parliament by name, riding, or postal code.

House of Commons - Current Members of Parliament

Source: Official Parliament of Canada directory

Use for: Federal representation, MP contact information, riding lookup, Parliament of Canada profiles

Party Leaders And House Officers

Federal

Find current federal party leaders, House leaders, whips, and official opposition roles.

House of Commons - Party Leaders and House Officers

Source: Official House of Commons directory

Use for: Official Opposition roles, party leadership, House officers, parliamentary responsibilities

Government Of Canada Contacts

Federal

Find official Government of Canada departments, offices, and contact directories.

Government of Canada Contacts

Source: Official Government of Canada directory

Use for: Federal departments, public services, government offices, national programs

Find Your MNA

Quebec Provincial

Find your Member of the National Assembly by name, electoral division, or postal code.

National Assembly of Quebec - Members

Source: Official National Assembly of Quebec directory

Use for: Quebec provincial representation, MNA contact information, riding lookup, National Assembly profiles

Parliamentary And Ministerial Roles

Quebec Provincial

Find Quebec parliamentary and ministerial office holders, including opposition critics and parliamentary roles.

National Assembly - Parliamentary and Ministerial Office Holders

Source: Official National Assembly of Quebec directory

Use for: Quebec cabinet roles, parliamentary roles, opposition critics, National Assembly responsibilities

Find Your Municipality

Quebec Municipal

Find Quebec municipalities and local municipal information. For mayor and councillor details, also check your municipality's official website.

Quebec Municipalities Directory

Source: Official Government of Quebec municipal directory

Use for: Municipal information, local government lookup, mayor and council starting point

Municipal Election Results

Quebec Municipal

Find Quebec municipal election results and related municipal democracy information.

Quebec Municipal Election Results

Source: Official Government of Quebec election information

Use for: Municipal election results, local democracy, municipal candidates and outcomes

Municipal information can vary by city or town. If the Quebec municipal directory does not show everything you need, visit your municipality's official website and look for "Council," "Elected officials," "Mayor and councillors," or "Conseil municipal."

Section

Reading The News

How To Read A Political News Story

Political news can move quickly and feel confusing. This guide helps readers slow down, identify the source, and understand what the story actually means.

When reading a political news story, start with a few simple questions.

Who is the source?

Is it a news article, opinion column, government announcement, party statement, report, podcast, or social media post?

What actually happened?

Separate the event or decision from the reaction to it.

Who is affected?

Ask how the issue may affect families, workers, small businesses, schools, health care, taxes, community safety, or local services.

What is missing?

Look for whether the story includes government sources, opposition responses, expert views, local voices, or data.

What should I watch next?

Many political stories are not finished in one day. Watch for votes, court decisions, budget details, public consultations, implementation dates, or reactions from affected communities.

Why it matters

Understanding the structure of a story helps readers avoid feeling overwhelmed and makes it easier to see the larger picture.

Try this

Before sharing a political story, identify whether it is reporting, opinion, an official statement, or analysis.

Section

Getting Involved

How To Get Involved Without Running For Office

You do not have to run for office to make a difference. There are many ways to participate in civic life, politics, and community leadership.

Getting involved can start small.

You can:

  • Vote and help others understand when and where to vote
  • Follow your MP, MNA, mayor, or councillor
  • Attend a local council meeting
  • Join a riding association or EDA
  • Volunteer during an election
  • Help organize a community event
  • Write to an elected official
  • Share reliable information with friends and family
  • Attend a public consultation
  • Support a candidate you believe in
  • Encourage women in your life to get involved

Why it matters

Democracy is stronger when regular people participate. You do not need to know everything before you begin. You can learn by showing up.

Try this

Pick one low-pressure action this month: sign up for a newsletter, attend a meeting, or contact one representative.

What Is An EDA?

An EDA is one of the easiest ways to understand politics from the inside without running for office.

EDA stands for Electoral District Association. It is a local political organization connected to a federal political party in a riding. Provincial parties may have similar local associations.

An EDA helps organize volunteers, support candidates, host events, raise funds, and connect local members to the political process.

You do not need to be an expert to attend an event or volunteer. Many people begin by helping with small tasks, meeting others, and learning how campaigns and local politics work.

Why it matters

Local political associations are where many future candidates, volunteers, organizers, and community leaders first get involved.

Try this

Look up whether the political party you support has a local riding association or event near you.

Women In Civic Life

Politics needs more women at every level — as voters, volunteers, organizers, donors, board members, community voices, and local leaders.

Getting involved in politics does not have to mean running for office right away.

Women can begin by:

  • Following local issues
  • Attending community or council meetings
  • Joining a local political association
  • Volunteering during a campaign
  • Helping with events or outreach
  • Supporting another woman who wants to run
  • Asking questions in public consultations
  • Hosting small conversations with friends or neighbours
  • Learning how nominations, campaigns, and elections work
  • Considering a future role on a board, committee, EDA, or campaign team

Men can also play an important role by encouraging and supporting the women in their lives who are interested in civic leadership.

Why it matters

Communities are stronger when more women understand how decisions are made and feel confident stepping into public life.

Try this

Invite one woman you know to attend a political, civic, or community event with you.

Politics makes more sense when you know where to start.

Blue Chez Nous is here to help readers connect the headlines to real life. Start with the basics, follow the stories that matter to your family and community, and build confidence one step at a time.

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