Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I receive this letter?
Your household is one of 15,000 across Canada that was randomly selected by Canada Post to receive this special invitation. This invitation is open to anyone aged 18 or older who lives at this address.
What is a Citizens' Assembly?
A Citizens' Assembly is a type of long-form deliberative process where a demographically representative group of several dozen randomly selected volunteers study an issue in order to make one or more consensus recommendations to governments and decision-makers on behalf of a wider community. Participation is a voluntary act of public service. Working with a team of independent facilitators, members of a Citizens' Assembly learn about an important public issue. They hear from experts, stakeholders, and other citizens as they work towards a consensus concerning their priorities. Citizens' Assemblies issue detailed public reports that explain their work and make recommendations, which are used by governments, researchers, and other public authorities to consider and create policies.
What is the topic of this Assembly?
This Assembly is focused on workers' ability to influence decisions and to have a say in solving problems at work, a matter referred to as "Worker Voice." When incorporated into workplace operations, this has benefits for workers, companies, and society more broadly. However, there is currently a significant gap between workers' expected say and their actual say in the workplace, referred to as the "Voice Gap." A range of institutional reforms, and proposed ideas will be considered as participants work toward coming up with solutions.
Why is it important that regular people are involved in this work?
First, this topic touches everyone, regardless of whether they are currently working or not. Second, regular workers' insights and lived experiences are crucial to being able to identify the right mix of policies and institutional arrangements that will meet workers' future needs.
Why is the University of Toronto's Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources (CIRHR) inviting me to volunteer for this Citizens' Assembly?
The CIRHR is convening this Assembly to inform and guide public policy about workers' experiences influencing decisions at work. CIRHR believes that residents and workers should have a hand in guiding the policies that can affect their experiences in the workplace. Together, participants will help sort through what people in Canada think about the current institutional channels available for workers to influence decisions in their workplaces, and make recommendations for improvement.
What would I do as a participant in the Assembly?
Members of the Assembly will first convene online (via Zoom) for an Orientation Session, which will cover introductions, an overview of the Assembly, and member perspectives on Worker Voice and the Voice Gap. Members will then gather in Toronto on Sunday, October 27, for an evening Welcome Session, dinner, and a keynote address. On Monday, October 28, members will have a full-day Working Session, which will include panel presentations in which members will interact with guest speakers and subject experts, as well as small working groups that will focus on deliberating what values and principles would underpin a more effective framework of Worker Voice in Canada. Lunch and snacks will be provided. After a late-afternoon break, members will gather again for dinner and an evening event. On Tuesday, October 29, members will again have a full-day Working Session, which will focus on learning and deliberation about novel approaches and solutions to improve Worker Voice in Canada, including developing priorities and considerations for policy-makers to utilize. Once again, lunch and snacks will be provided. Members will break in the late-afternoon and then reconvene for dinner and an evening event. On the final morning, Wednesday, October 30, members will gather for a Farewell Session which will include a presentation of the draft report of the Assembly and a closing ceremony.
Where will the Assembly meetings take place?
The Orientation Sessions (separate English and French) will take place online using Zoom, a free video-conferencing platform. Don't worry if you are not familiar with using a computer or working online — members of our team will be there to support you with any technical concerns. The Assembly Sessions will take place at a welcoming venue at the University of Toronto. Our team will be glad to address any accessibility or other concerns with members ahead of time.
Can I still participate if I do not currently work or don't have expertise with the topic?
Absolutely. We do not expect you to have any specialized knowledge. You don't need to be an expert, be currently employed, or be a union member to participate. Your experience as someone who works, has worked, or knows people who work is what matters most. In addition, the various sessions will include a substantive and accessible learning program to ensure you have all the unbiased background information needed to contribute.
Who is eligible to serve on the Citizens' Assembly?
To be a member of the Assembly, you must live in Canada and be aged 18 years or older. Only one person per household may volunteer to serve on the Assembly. Elected representatives, including elected trade union officials, are ineligible to participate. If you are concerned about a potential conflict of interest (for example, if you're a company's Chief Executive Officer), please call our toll-free line: 1-833-396-1132.
I am unsure if I can attend each session of the Assembly. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, no. All participants must attend each session of the process.
How do I become a member of the Assembly?
First, you must respond to this invitation letter no later than Tuesday, August 27, 2024, by calling 1-833-396-1132, by registering securely online at this website or by mailing the enclosed response card. Following the deadline, a special lottery will be conducted to randomly select the members of the Assembly from among the respondents to this letter.
How will members of the Assembly be selected?
Members will be chosen by randomly selecting names from among the pool of volunteers who respond to this letter. The Assembly will reflect Canada's diversity, with representation based on gender, age, and geography, as well as other criteria.
Which languages will be used during the Assembly?
The Assembly will work in English and French. Simultaneous translation services will be provided, including bilingual facilitators.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. We understand that this is a surprising invitation to receive and that you may be skeptical and looking for a catch. We encourage you to discuss any concerns with the Assembly organizers by calling the toll-free line 1-833-396-1132 or visiting workplacedemocracyproject.ca. If you are selected to participate, you will never be asked for a credit card number or any other form of payment. Participation in an Assembly is a matter of public service.
Will I get paid to serve on the Citizens' Assembly?
We are asking you to volunteer your time, and we do not provide a blanket honorarium or payment to members. However, we want to ensure that everyone is able to participate. If you are concerned about a financial hardship that would affect your ability to participate in this Assembly, please call our toll-free line at 1-833-396-1132.
I'm concerned about a possible barrier to participating. What should I do?
We are committed to assisting any eligible resident who is selected to participate successfully. We can provide reasonable subsidies for childcare and eldercare, and technological or other accessibility support if needed and requested. If you would like to be a member of the Assembly but are concerned about a potential barrier to participating, please call us at 1-833-396-1132 and we will be happy to discuss how we can support your participation.
What is the Questionnaire?
In addition to convening the Assembly, the CIRHR is conducting further research on workplaces and workers' perceptions. We are interested in public perceptions, experiences, and aspirations of work. Participation in this questionnaire will help the future of work and promote a more democratic and just society. The questionnaire is completely confidential and voluntary, and should take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. You can complete the questionnaire online by clicking here.
Is my data confidential?
Personal information collected via the online form, by email, or over the phone will only be used by the Assembly Project Team to register volunteers and select members of the Assembly. After the Assembly concludes, members will be asked twice if they wish to participate further in the work of the Assembly and CIRHR, for example by participating in exit interviews for academic research. If no further consent is registered, the information collected will be securely destroyed. There are some limitations to privacy and anonymity in the Assembly. We plan to take photos, videos, and interviews for media based on Assembly materials and content.
If I do not get chosen for the Assembly, can I still be involved?
Yes. You can stay connected to the process and learn about other possible ways to be involved by signing up for updates on the Assembly website.
Your household is one of 15,000 across Canada that was randomly selected by Canada Post to receive this special invitation. This invitation is open to anyone aged 18 or older who lives at this address.
What is a Citizens' Assembly?
A Citizens' Assembly is a type of long-form deliberative process where a demographically representative group of several dozen randomly selected volunteers study an issue in order to make one or more consensus recommendations to governments and decision-makers on behalf of a wider community. Participation is a voluntary act of public service. Working with a team of independent facilitators, members of a Citizens' Assembly learn about an important public issue. They hear from experts, stakeholders, and other citizens as they work towards a consensus concerning their priorities. Citizens' Assemblies issue detailed public reports that explain their work and make recommendations, which are used by governments, researchers, and other public authorities to consider and create policies.
What is the topic of this Assembly?
This Assembly is focused on workers' ability to influence decisions and to have a say in solving problems at work, a matter referred to as "Worker Voice." When incorporated into workplace operations, this has benefits for workers, companies, and society more broadly. However, there is currently a significant gap between workers' expected say and their actual say in the workplace, referred to as the "Voice Gap." A range of institutional reforms, and proposed ideas will be considered as participants work toward coming up with solutions.
Why is it important that regular people are involved in this work?
First, this topic touches everyone, regardless of whether they are currently working or not. Second, regular workers' insights and lived experiences are crucial to being able to identify the right mix of policies and institutional arrangements that will meet workers' future needs.
Why is the University of Toronto's Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources (CIRHR) inviting me to volunteer for this Citizens' Assembly?
The CIRHR is convening this Assembly to inform and guide public policy about workers' experiences influencing decisions at work. CIRHR believes that residents and workers should have a hand in guiding the policies that can affect their experiences in the workplace. Together, participants will help sort through what people in Canada think about the current institutional channels available for workers to influence decisions in their workplaces, and make recommendations for improvement.
What would I do as a participant in the Assembly?
Members of the Assembly will first convene online (via Zoom) for an Orientation Session, which will cover introductions, an overview of the Assembly, and member perspectives on Worker Voice and the Voice Gap. Members will then gather in Toronto on Sunday, October 27, for an evening Welcome Session, dinner, and a keynote address. On Monday, October 28, members will have a full-day Working Session, which will include panel presentations in which members will interact with guest speakers and subject experts, as well as small working groups that will focus on deliberating what values and principles would underpin a more effective framework of Worker Voice in Canada. Lunch and snacks will be provided. After a late-afternoon break, members will gather again for dinner and an evening event. On Tuesday, October 29, members will again have a full-day Working Session, which will focus on learning and deliberation about novel approaches and solutions to improve Worker Voice in Canada, including developing priorities and considerations for policy-makers to utilize. Once again, lunch and snacks will be provided. Members will break in the late-afternoon and then reconvene for dinner and an evening event. On the final morning, Wednesday, October 30, members will gather for a Farewell Session which will include a presentation of the draft report of the Assembly and a closing ceremony.
Where will the Assembly meetings take place?
The Orientation Sessions (separate English and French) will take place online using Zoom, a free video-conferencing platform. Don't worry if you are not familiar with using a computer or working online — members of our team will be there to support you with any technical concerns. The Assembly Sessions will take place at a welcoming venue at the University of Toronto. Our team will be glad to address any accessibility or other concerns with members ahead of time.
Can I still participate if I do not currently work or don't have expertise with the topic?
Absolutely. We do not expect you to have any specialized knowledge. You don't need to be an expert, be currently employed, or be a union member to participate. Your experience as someone who works, has worked, or knows people who work is what matters most. In addition, the various sessions will include a substantive and accessible learning program to ensure you have all the unbiased background information needed to contribute.
Who is eligible to serve on the Citizens' Assembly?
To be a member of the Assembly, you must live in Canada and be aged 18 years or older. Only one person per household may volunteer to serve on the Assembly. Elected representatives, including elected trade union officials, are ineligible to participate. If you are concerned about a potential conflict of interest (for example, if you're a company's Chief Executive Officer), please call our toll-free line: 1-833-396-1132.
I am unsure if I can attend each session of the Assembly. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, no. All participants must attend each session of the process.
How do I become a member of the Assembly?
First, you must respond to this invitation letter no later than Tuesday, August 27, 2024, by calling 1-833-396-1132, by registering securely online at this website or by mailing the enclosed response card. Following the deadline, a special lottery will be conducted to randomly select the members of the Assembly from among the respondents to this letter.
How will members of the Assembly be selected?
Members will be chosen by randomly selecting names from among the pool of volunteers who respond to this letter. The Assembly will reflect Canada's diversity, with representation based on gender, age, and geography, as well as other criteria.
Which languages will be used during the Assembly?
The Assembly will work in English and French. Simultaneous translation services will be provided, including bilingual facilitators.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. We understand that this is a surprising invitation to receive and that you may be skeptical and looking for a catch. We encourage you to discuss any concerns with the Assembly organizers by calling the toll-free line 1-833-396-1132 or visiting workplacedemocracyproject.ca. If you are selected to participate, you will never be asked for a credit card number or any other form of payment. Participation in an Assembly is a matter of public service.
Will I get paid to serve on the Citizens' Assembly?
We are asking you to volunteer your time, and we do not provide a blanket honorarium or payment to members. However, we want to ensure that everyone is able to participate. If you are concerned about a financial hardship that would affect your ability to participate in this Assembly, please call our toll-free line at 1-833-396-1132.
I'm concerned about a possible barrier to participating. What should I do?
We are committed to assisting any eligible resident who is selected to participate successfully. We can provide reasonable subsidies for childcare and eldercare, and technological or other accessibility support if needed and requested. If you would like to be a member of the Assembly but are concerned about a potential barrier to participating, please call us at 1-833-396-1132 and we will be happy to discuss how we can support your participation.
What is the Questionnaire?
In addition to convening the Assembly, the CIRHR is conducting further research on workplaces and workers' perceptions. We are interested in public perceptions, experiences, and aspirations of work. Participation in this questionnaire will help the future of work and promote a more democratic and just society. The questionnaire is completely confidential and voluntary, and should take between 10 and 20 minutes to complete. You can complete the questionnaire online by clicking here.
Is my data confidential?
Personal information collected via the online form, by email, or over the phone will only be used by the Assembly Project Team to register volunteers and select members of the Assembly. After the Assembly concludes, members will be asked twice if they wish to participate further in the work of the Assembly and CIRHR, for example by participating in exit interviews for academic research. If no further consent is registered, the information collected will be securely destroyed. There are some limitations to privacy and anonymity in the Assembly. We plan to take photos, videos, and interviews for media based on Assembly materials and content.
If I do not get chosen for the Assembly, can I still be involved?
Yes. You can stay connected to the process and learn about other possible ways to be involved by signing up for updates on the Assembly website.