Elect Respect Initiative Highlights Core Values of Democratic Service

The Elect Respect campaign is an important example of elected leaders taking action to promote civility and combat growing harassment of those who step up for public office and service in their communities.

Elect Respect started as a conversation between a small group of women in Halton, founded by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, called the Halton Elected Representatives (HER). They came together to share their experiences with harassment and abuse in public life and to stand up for a better way forward. From that conversation came Elect Respect—a commitment to uphold the core values of democratic service, including the right to work free from threats, abuse, or intimidation.

What began with a few voices has grown into a movement. Elect Respect now includes elected officials and candidates of all backgrounds who are speaking out against toxic behaviour and calling for a renewed commitment to respectful public service.

AMO is pleased to showcase this important campaign as an example of grassroot action against threats to civil discourse and democratic participation.  AMO and its members in every part of Ontario recognize that civic engagement and safe workplaces are essential foundations for strong local democracy.

AMO is currently consulting with members on the development of a new Civility & Anti-Harassment Strategy, grounded in the realities faced by elected officials and staff alike. 

Research from AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project and Workforce Development Project shows the growing toll of toxic discourse—especially on diverse candidates and frontline staff. The strategy will identify practical tools and resources that municipalities and individual Council members and candidates can use to build resilience and address incivility and harassment in their work. Through this work, including a scan of what other jurisdictions and other sectors are doing to address the problem, AMO will continue to highlight approaches used to combat incivility, encourage constructive engagement and to address harassment. 

Additional Information about Elect Respect can be found at electrespect.ca