ip i. - VANCOUVER, B.C. Lower voting age, engage Schools could facilitate demo- cratic process By CHRISTINA DOMMER L owering the required mini- mum age to vote to 16 from 18 would increase the involvement of young people in politics, according to Green Party members. ‘The Green Party’s platform claims that a lower voting age would give “young people more say in their future and instill] habits of civic participation.” Green Party leader Elizabeth May also introduced a bill in Parliament to lower the voting age in May 2018. The Climate Strikes on Sept. 27 this year highlighted the issue, said Louise Boutin, Green Party candi- date for Vancouver Granville. “Our young people are saying, on the street ... ‘T’m disenfran- chised, I don’t feel like voting’,” said Boutin. Joan Martin, E a professor in child psychology at the Univer- sity of Victo- ria, said voting could be treated as a “coming of age” ritual akin to prom. “Currently, they are taught about the [democratic] process in school, but what they are learning would be more meaningful, and more likely to turn into a life-long habit, if the course actually included voting,” Martin said in an emailed statement. However, first-year nursing student Nhan Tran doesn't think he would have been ready to vote at 16. “When you're 16 and 17, youre really young, so [you'd be] a bit confused unless you know about politics,” said Tran. “T feel like it’s better if you're 18 or 19. You're a young adult and can make your [own] decisions.” Louise Boutin GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE -- With files from Lauren Gargiulo cUl?, el CTION SPECIAL TasUE } GREEN NEW DEAL ~PHARMACARE -NGJUSTIE WEALTH TAY “ee gay + toner eee Cee PT eal ER wiTH us! a Yvonne Hanson, NDP candidate for Vancouver Granville, in front of her campaign office. Hanson said much of the apathy among young voters is caused by the belief that parliament is full of "old white dudes" without youths' best interests in mind. PHOTO KRISTEN HOLLIDAY Wanted: younger MPs NDP candidate says youth help create a healthy democracy By KRISTEN HOLLIDAY n increase in young voices in parliament would create a more effective democracy, particularly when it comes to issues that funda- mentally affect youth, such as climate change, according to 24-year-old Yvonne Hanson, the NDP candi- date for Vancouver Granville. A Statistics Canada census indi- cates that youths aged 15-34 make up 26 per cent of Canada’s popula- tion, but there isn't a single incum- bent B.C. Member of Parliament under the age of 35. The average age of a B.C. MP is around 56, accord- ing to a tally conducted by The Voice. “Older generations are less likely to perform an accurate cost-bene- fit analysis when they look at the climate crisis,” said Hanson, an SFU graduate. “They will have to be dealing with the costs, but they wont see the benefit. Youth will see the benefit.” Peter Prontzos, political science instructor at Langara, pointed to two reasons why there are few youths in government. per cent of people ages 18-24 vote, a 19 per cent increase from the previous election. Hanson “In general, encourages neve. | “Weneed young voices othe polite ee andweneedthemto | “i 04 ceregeel | beoverwhelmingly | wos"s "is has been less interest,” he said. “To run for parliament, hopefully you do have some expe- rience, some education, and that takes a number of years.” Some voters view age as a benefit. “There’s a certain life experience you need with that much power,” said Bryan Lim, a food and nutri- tion student at Langara. The 2015 federal election saw 57 loud and numerous and in a diverse range of communities.” — YVONNE HANSON, NDP CANDIDATE them to be overwhelm- ingly loud and numer- ous and in a diverse range of communi- ties.” Prontzos predicts that more young people will eventually step up as candidates if they engage and participate early on. “People will get more comfort- able with the idea that you don't have to be in your sixties to be a competent politician." NDP candidate Yvonne Hanson (right) door-knocking as part of her campaign. PHOTO KRISTEN HOLLIDAY