The Samara Centre for Democracy

The Samara Centre for Democracy Strengthening Canada’s democracy through research, policy change and public engagement.

Our research and programs make us a go-to resource for active citizens, educators, public leaders and the media.

10/06/2026

In Defence of Democracy 2026 is happening tonight.

Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme at the Winter Garden Theatre for an evening exploring predictive AI, technology, civic engagement and our democratic future.

The event will not be recorded, and there’s still time to join us in person. Get your tickets today.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

In Defence of Democracy 2026 is happening tonight.Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme at the Winter Garden Theatre for ...
10/06/2026

In Defence of Democracy 2026 is happening tonight.

Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme at the Winter Garden Theatre for an evening exploring predictive AI, technology, civic engagement and our democratic future.

The event will not be recorded, and there’s still time to join us in person. Get your tickets today.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

Tomorrow, we gather for In Defence of Democracy 2026.Join Carissa Véliz and at the Winter Garden Theatre for an evening...
10/05/2026

Tomorrow, we gather for In Defence of Democracy 2026.

Join Carissa Véliz and at the Winter Garden Theatre for an evening exploring predictive AI, technology, civic engagement and democratic resilience.

The event will not be recorded, so we hope you’ll join us in person for the conversation.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

10/04/2026

Why is this year’s In Defence of Democracy conversation so important right now?

Our CEO Sabreena Delhon points to how quickly AI is shaping Canada’s democratic culture, from the tools being introduced into public processes to questions of transparency and data infrastructure.

Rather than treating the future of AI as inevitable, this year’s program creates space to pause and ask where we want to go from here.

💬 Join us on October 6 at the Winter Garden Theatre for In Defence of Democracy 2026 with Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

10/03/2026

What could greater agency over our data mean for the future of Canada’s democracy?

That’s one of the questions our CEO Sabreena Delhon is looking forward to hearing Carissa Véliz explore through her keynote at In Defence of Democracy 2026, alongside AI accountability, AI literacy, and data sovereignty.

💬 Join us on October 6 at the Winter Garden Theatre to hear Carissa explore predictive AI, technology, and what greater agency could mean for Canada’s democratic future.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

10/02/2026

This year, In Defence of Democracy will not be recorded.

Our speaker, Carissa Veliz requested an unrecorded conversation and after careful thought we decided to honour it. There’s something meaningful about being in the room and taking part in a conversation that isn’t immediately recorded and posted online. That in-person experience creates a kind of intimacy that can be difficult to recreate online.

As Lisa LaFlamme puts it, democracy is not a spectator sport. You have to show up.

Join us in person on October 6 at the Winter Garden Theatre.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

10/01/2026

Why does an event like In Defence of Democracy matter?

It’s a chance to step away from the noise, listen, and make space for questions that don’t always have easy answers. As Lisa LaFlamme reminds us, defending democracy isn’t something other people do. It happens through the choices every one of us makes.

💬Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme on October 6 at In Defence of Democracy 2026 for a conversation about predictive AI and the future of politics in Canada.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

09/30/2026

How can we separate fact from fiction and stop the spread of misinformation?
Lisa LaFlamme’s advice is practical: check your sources, ask who created the information you’re seeing, and pay attention to how algorithms may be shaping what reaches you.

She also draws a clear distinction between legitimate journalism and opinion, especially before we decide what to believe or share.

💬 Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme on October 6 at In Defence of Democracy 2026 to explore how technology is influencing civic engagement and what we can do to protect our democratic resilience.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

09/29/2026

Why is a free press essential to democracy?

For Lisa LaFlamme, it comes down to scrutiny and access to verified information. Journalists ask the questions people in power may not want to be asked, and give citizens the information they need to make informed decisions.
As Lisa puts it, journalism is a public service, and that role is critical to a functioning democracy.

💬 Join Carissa Véliz and Lisa LaFlamme on October 6 at In Defence of Democracy 2026 for a conversation about technology, trustworthy information, and the future of our democracy.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

One week to go until In Defence of Democracy 2026.On October 6, Carissa Véliz joins us at the Winter Garden Theatre to e...
09/29/2026

One week to go until In Defence of Democracy 2026.

On October 6, Carissa Véliz joins us at the Winter Garden Theatre to explore predictive AI and the future of politics in Canada, followed by a conversation with renowned journalist and Samara Centre board member Lisa LaFlamme.

This event will not be recorded. We invite you to join us in person for this important conversation.

📅 October 6, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM ET
📍 Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St, Toronto
🎟️ Get tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100064FFDE176919

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