Whether or not you agree with his politics, it was encouraging to see a young person such as Donovan Cavers of the Green Party participate as a candidate in last Monday’s federal election forum in Clearwater.
According to Elections Canada, in the 2008 election only 37.4 per cent of Canadians under age 40 voted. This compares with 65.5 per cent of those between the ages of 55 and 64.
Across the Middle East today we witness thousands of young people taking to the streets, demanding the right to vote.
Here in Canada it appears that most young people have other priorities.
Jon Pammett, a professor in political science at Carleton University, has suggested three reforms that could stimulate more political participation by young people.
The first would be to teach “civics” in a more participative mode.
This means, rather than students sitting down and being lectured on why they should want to vote, they get involved in activities such as simulated or real elections.
Pammett’s second suggestion would be to lower the voting age. Voting in Brazil is compulsory for those over age 18 but optional for those from 16 to 18, he notes.
Make government institutions more participative is his third suggested reform.
There is some evidence that is already happening. Last week Canada’s chief returning officer Marc Mayrand said online voting could increase voter turnout among youth.
“The younger generation is used to technology,” he is reported to have said. “They don’t like to fill in those paper forms.”
Here in Clearwater, with the Junior Council developed by councilor Candus Graffunder, we appear to be ahead of much of the rest of the country in implementing Pammett’s reforms.
The Junior Council is made up of the members of Clearwater Secondary School’s students’ council. Representatives make regular reports during regular town council meetings. They participate in sessions with District of Clearwater council members and staff, learning firsthand how local government works. They hold mock and real elections. Mayor John Harwood and other members of town council even plan to hold a mock parks and recreation committee meeting at CSS soon.
Although there are no doubt improvements that could be made, we seem to be on the right track locally. Now all we have to do is get the rest of the country to follow our lead.
