Why do we not care?!?

It seems nowadays with students, you have your political junkies who spearhead clubs, raise party issues and speak so eloquently you'd think every student was adamant about their voting right. Then you have your students who are formally educated, and by this I mean forced to take political science 100. So, if their teachers don't take them by the hand to the voting poll, at least it's discussed in class. Then you have your vigorous journalists, who are supposed to be actively involved and promoting democratic discourse. And of course you have your keeners in EVERY faculty who'll take on their Canadian right to have an opinion. But it's shocking how many students are apathetic or ignorant of election issues, even those happening in their own city!

Today, I interviewed a variety of students, asking them if they're voting in the upcoming civic election. The majority of responses were, "What? there's an election". It's one thing to not know the issues, maybe even the candidates, but to not even know it's taking place? It's slightly disturbing and worrisome considering the local coverage the media has provided. The mainstream newspapers and tv outlets have been following candidate injunctions for weeks.

We are the next generation of politicians, and if we're so apathetic, what will become of our political process? Last year's federal election was less than heart warming as only 58% of Canadians came out to vote. The lowest demographic of people were young Canadians. Shamefully, not surprising from the answers I heard today. Although we're only holding a civic election, if young people are not even voting in their cities, why would they care about federal politics?

Many people have offered solutions to voter apathy. Some say we need more dynamic leaders, a different system of voting, better communication. I think education is the first step -- by putting value on city, provincial and federal issues in the classroom. I wish I had teachers that discussed the daily news while I was growing up. Even just 10 minutes to start the day would help kids get a sense of the world we live in. Rather than regurgitating mindless facts that don't actually apply to our lives. If students are too busy to keep tabs on the political process, we need to bring the political process, in an interesting way, starting from a young age to the classroom!