E-voting won't solve the problem of low voter turnout. Only a total overhaul of our democratic culture will do that.

Imagine suffering from chronic asthma, and being cheerfully, persistently, prescribed Vicks VapoRub.

That is, in essence, what Canadian democracy experienced on June 26, when Elections Canada released a report recommending the implementation of internet voting at the federal level, starting with a by-election pilot project. Sadly, this is another example of the failure of the federal government to uphold our democracy.

Elections Canada is looking for solutions to the growing problem of voters, especially young ones, not bothering to vote. In the 2008 election, voter turnout was a miserable 59 per cent, the lowest ever. Polls conducted by The Dominion Institute consistently show Canadians remain ignorant of the fundamentals of their own history and how they are governed.

But Elections Canada’s response is critically wrong. Let’s be clear: low voter turnout is a symptom of our society's problem, not the problem itself. The problem is the neglect of our democratic culture. It’s alarming that EC can’t tell the difference.

If they do run a pilot project, it will no doubt be considered a success. If nothing else, the attendant publicity and the novelty of the experience will cause a slight uptick in voting rates. But voting itself will remain the same: little more than the sloughing off of civic responsibilities onto elected officials by an unenthusiastic populace. Now voters won't even have to leave the house to accomplish that.

This of course doesn't even begin to address the practical considerations of privacy and security. The vote will be electronically tabulated; any electronic system can be hacked or experience an unexpected glitch. We need only look at the American experience with e-tabulation to see that it can't be relied upon to be accurate or sound. And not only is the integrity of the vote called into question by e-tabulation, the very fact that the votes are counted by a soulless computer rather than participating Canadians makes such an exercise an assault on democracy, not an enhancement of it.

This isn’t about bashing Elections Canada. Undoubtedly it employs many dedicated public servants who wish only to make our electoral system the best it can be. But due to their limited mandate – managing elections – the organization thinks only of changing methodologies.

It’s clear we need more than a body that simply administers elections; we need a federal department called Democracy Canada (or something similar), one that would monitor, administer, and enhance all aspects of our democracy. Right now, as we face a crisis of democratic engagement, we’re merely offered technocratic solutions that fail us as Canadians.

Currently, the responsibility for our democracy lies with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. While there is a token effort from the Ministry to explain the virtues of active citizenship, 99 per cent of their effort is devoted to immigration issues and obtaining Canadian citizenship.

A quick look at their website confirms this. The “events” listed on the site are all citizenship ceremonies for new Canadians. A guide for "Reaffirmation Ceremonies" is provided, but none are listed in the schedule. They make some materials about rights and responsibilities available to schools and the public, but there is no active program to engage, educate, and empower Canadians.

And that is precisely what is needed. The federal government – indeed all governments across this country – needs to develop a serious plan to foster and sustain a democratic culture. Such a plan would be twofold:

First, a smart, inspiring, and fun civics program, standardized for all Canadian schools. Currently, high school civics programs are taught at only one grade level, and are generally dull descriptions of the processes and systems of government. This puts students to sleep, and talk of the duties of citizenship is guaranteed to turn off rebellious teenagers. A better approach would be a program that explores the nature of power, and the role it plays in their lives. Moving from the theoretical to the practical, student governments also need to change – from social clubs to an integrated part of school governance. Some alternative high schools are run this way, and they have proven that kids respond to real respect and responsibility.

Second, a national education campaign directed at adults. Much like the highly effective ParticipACTION program, government-sponsored messages should flood the airwaves, newspapers, appear on packaging, etc., and an adult education program run through colleges and sponsored by foundations and corporations. This would give the public the intellectual tools to realize the full potential of their citizenship.

The goal of these programs would be to end political apathy, stop corrosive cynicism, and enliven the public discourse. In the process we would also be safeguarding our democracy for future generations.

This last point is absolutely vital. From the ancient world to the modern age, many fine democracies have risen but then ultimately failed. At those times, people paid a terrible price – blood ran in the streets. Nowhere is it written that Canada is immune to crisis and chaos. We need tools and spirit to keep our society safe, prosperous and democratic.