Forsyth: “Voting Is Essential Homework”
The first weeks of a new semester can be hectic times, so it might be easy for students to lose track of a critical event that’s occurring this Fall: the 2011 provincial election.
While it may be tempting to disregard the issues facing our province, it is an important time to consider how the many decisions made by our provincial government directly impact a student’s life. The province funds transportation systems that students use to get to campus, regulates the rent on their apartments, determines the minimum wage for their part-time jobs, and even sets operating rules for their favourite pubs or restaurants.
Unfortunately, many students don’t seem to make that connection, and decide not to participate in our democratic process. In a typical election, over half of all people aged 18-29 do not cast a ballot. An even smaller number listen to debates, attend candidate forums, or volunteer with political parties. Read More →