I was really pleased to see the News article published on the Mississippi Mills municipal website entitled From the Office of the Mayor – National Volunteer Week – April 19-25, 2026. It praised the diverse nature of useful volunteer efforts that folks engage in here in Mississippi Mills. I’m so happy to live in a positive community where ‘helping’ is valued and appreciated. The wonderful ‘Desserts Banquet’ to celebrate volunteers on Tuesday, April 21 at the Civitan from 6:30-8pm is a step further that is just too kind for words! “Thank you” back! – to the hosts of this banquet: the Civitan Club, The Hub, Carebridge and Miss Mills herself.
When looking over the myriad of ways that residents volunteer, I didn’t see any of my groups but there are so many ways to volunteer, that a thorough list of them might be pages long or even impossible.
I work with the Community Compost Composers – they help the Earth.
I work with Reconciliation Through Art – it helps Indigenous-Settler relations.
I also work with the Lanark-Frontenac Federal Liberal Association – it helps every Canadian – or at least that is MY perspective. It would STILL be my perspective if I worked with the local Conservative, NDP or any other electoral district association (EDA).
These local EDAs are entirely volunteer-based. They don’t clean up streams, or run youth hockey leagues, but they do something that is just as important. They deepen the roots of Canada’s democracy. They don’t shy away from talking about politics – because only our vote is secret. The plans of the various parties are on full display and should be actively talked about – between friends, neighbours and relatives. Remember Stone Soup? It became a healthy nourishing meal only when it was contributed to – by everyone – just as our democracy strengthens every time someone else has a brilliant political, environmental, social or economic idea. Electoral district associations are the soil into which those ideas can be planted: that’s why it’s called grassroots policy development. If an EDA holds a ‘community town hall’ a policy proposal born there can travel to a national convention, become part of the party platform, and eventually be drafted into law.
Volunteers in electoral district associations also ensure that the specific needs of a region—such as rural infrastructure or local heritage preservation—are heard at the national level.
These riding associations are responsible for finding and vetting the people who want to represent the community in Parliament. Volunteers help ensure that candidates are competent, ethical, and actually understand the local landscape.
Good EDAs also help constituents understand complex legislative changes or how to access government services.
Finally, volunteers who make up the riding association act as a bridge between the Member of Parliament (MP) and the people of the riding. If an MP votes in a way that contradicts the values of their constituents, the local association is often the first group to provide that feedback.
These days, when we look at the ‘bad’ in the world and wish there was something we could do to help ourselves, we need only search up our local electoral district association, and get involved in setting things ‘right.’ ‘Right’ can look as widely different as there are people. Volunteering in your choice of EDA brings you together with others who share a vision for our country – fostering a sense of agency, while dispelling anxiety and apathy.
I will gratefully go to the Volunteer Appreciation event on Tuesday- not only for the excellent desserts, but also to congratulate fellow volunteers on their over-lapping commitments to our festivals, rivers, youth, elderly – and hopefully – to keeping the democratic fabric of Canada strong as well.
Pam Steele
