LETHBRIDGE – They were once referred to as the quiet non-voters, but now post-secondary students across Canada are breaking their silence.
In the 2011 election, only 38.8 per cent of people between 18 to 24 years of age cast a ballot.
To change the defeatist mentality many students feel when it comes to having their voice heard in Ottawa, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations started the Get Out To Vote campaign, encouraging youth to advocate for post-secondary education.
“Students are often stereotyped as being apathetic and not aware of the voting process,” said Brenna Scott, president of the University of Lethbridge Student’s Union.“We see students that are engaged, asking thoughtful, meaningful questions.”
The U of L, along with 21 other associations representing more than 250,000 students, have one goal in common: to significantly increase the youth vote by October 19.
And it appears students aren’t holding back this time around:
“I didn’t really find the Conservatives did a lot for me, and I didn’t have much say in the last election,” said one student.
“I don’t think we are taken as a serious voice, because we don’t vote enough,” explained another.
When it comes to issues, there’s a lot on their minds:
“I feel like we need to focus a little more on mental health for students,” added one girl.
“I want to make sure that there’s some stability in the economy and I have a job waiting for me at the other end,” another student commented.
It’s those types of questions Scott encourages her peers to keep asking.
“The students really realize that they can be engaged and they can make a difference in who’s running our government,” she said.
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