In order to strengthen our democracy and empower the voice of young people, Canada’s voting age should be lowered to 16.
The Canadian government sees 16-year-olds as mature enough to drive, work, apply for a passport or even write their own will. It’s hypocritical for the government to expect such high levels of maturity from 16-year-olds without allowing them the right to vote.
Sixteen-year-olds are mature enough to make informed voting decisions and deserve to have a say in how the government addresses issues that directly affect them.
High school students receive civic education and have easy access to teachers and librarians who can help them find resources and research the political parties’ platforms.
In 2019, only 54 per cent of youth aged 18 to 24 voted compared to 79 per cent of people aged 65 to 74. Elections Canada identified increasing interest and political knowledge as necessary steps to increasing youth voting turnout.
According to Elections Canada, people who start voting young are more likely to stay engaged in politics and continue voting.
At 16, young people are also easier for educators to reach than older voters who have already graduated high school. Although universities often encourage students to vote, those who don’t attend university are often left out. If 16-year-olds could vote, then many young voters could be reached more efficiently.
Such a move would likely increase voter turnout long-term. It is undemocratic for the state to make decisions that affect youth without allowing them a say.
Many teenagers work and pay taxes with no say in how their tax dollars are spent. Many of them will face the long-term effects of the climate crisis—an event that will be irreversible if we do not take immediate action—without having a say in how it is handled.
Young people protest, write petitions and post on social media about social and political issues. They have repeatedly shown the government that they are politically aware and passionate about the issues that affect them and their futures. There is no good reason why they shouldn’t be awarded their democratic right to take their activism to polling stations.
Featured image by Shamit Tushakiran.
