CIVIX was honoured to receive the Promise in Practice Award as part of the 2026 Kidder-Pascal Awards for Systems Change and Innovation in Education, presented by People for Education. The award recognizes work in publicly funded schools that advances the transformative potential of public education, particularly in civic engagement, democracy and student learning.

The Kidder-Pascal Awards honour leaders and organizations strengthening public education through innovation and systems change. This recognition highlights efforts that help prepare young people to participate in and shape a complex world.

CIVIX is deeply honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the Promise in Practice Award for its Student Vote program. Student Vote was recognized for its excellence in experiential learning and for bringing democracy directly into the classroom, helping students move from learning about democracy to actively experiencing it.

On behalf of CIVIX, we thank People for Education, the nominating committee, and all those involved in the Kidder-Pascal Awards for this recognition.

While the award is presented to CIVIX, we accept it on behalf of the educators throughout the country who make this work possible. For more than twenty years, teachers across Canada have brought Student Vote into their classrooms, helping students experience democracy firsthand.

Last year, nearly one million students from more than 6,300 schools participated in Student Vote during the federal election. Since 2003, more than 10 million student ballots have been cast. These numbers reflect the commitment of educators who believe in the importance of civic education.

We continue to see that young people are thoughtful, curious, and eager to contribute. At a time of concern about the future of democracy, Student Vote is a reminder that students are ready to engage when given the opportunity, and that public schools are essential spaces for learning citizenship.

Student Vote is a collaborative effort supported by educators, election agencies, school boards, governments, and many partners across the country. To the educators who make this possible every day: thank you.