As most of you are aware, Canada is in the middle of an election campaign. On May 2nd we will be voting for our federal MP candidates. There are so many important issues right now: the environment, economy, funding for the arts, health care, ethics, and more. Yet in the last federal election, only 1/3 of Canadian young people voted. Our very own Charlotte Arnold is a member of The Toronto Star’s 2011 Youth Nation Panel. She recently wrote an article about the importance of casting your ballot in this election. Here is some of what she had to say:
A little perspective: Since December 2010, the international community has watched as thousands of people die for the right to choose their leaders. This movement was largely driven by young people for whom the Internet has been a massive gift in organization and communication.
As privileged citizens in a country where information is free and voting is a right, it’s an insult to the politically oppressed around the world if we don’t take pride in the power we possess to enact change.
I would like to echo Charlotte’s sentiment and encourage all of you 18+ Canadians to vote on May 2nd. Voting is a privilege that we should all cherish. It will only take 20 minutes out of your day, and it’s your chance to participate in democracy. Click here to read Charlotte’s article. And for information on voting, check out Elections.ca.