York readies for federal election

The federal election is only a few weeks away and questions remain as to whether the youth vote will make an appearance this time around.
Federal candidates have had three televised debates to date. However, between topics of economy and foreign policy, debates on student and youth issues were scarce, if at all visible.
Experts claim the last election came down to 14 ridings and approximately 6,201 votes. This year, these same ridings are being targeted by politicians like never before.
Twenty Ontario university presidents made a pledge to encourage the student vote last week. The Council of Ontario Universities made the announcement.
“Democratic societies are sustained by the commitment of all members of civil society to the culture, values, and institutions of democracy,” President Mamdouh Shoukri told Excalibur.
“Regrettably, participation among Canadian youth in recent elections has been disappointingly low. In the 2011 federal election, for example, voter turnout among youth aged 18 to 24 was only 39 per cent.”
“I strongly encourage each of our eligible York students, who are Canadian citizens aged 18 or older on election day, to become informed about the election issues and to participate in this democratic process.”
There will be a special Elections Canada office on campus in the Aviva Centre from October 5 to 8, open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Students from any riding will be able to vote at this special office.
The York Federation of Students has been working with students across the country on their “It’s No Secret” campaign in an effort to put forward student issues in the federal election.
Additionally, the campaign works to inform students about the logistics of voting, from registering to vote to the various ways students can cast their ballot.
“We hope to encourage students to vote through engaging them about the issues that are important to them in this federal election as well as providing students with the tools they need to head to the polls,” says Chenthoori Malankov, VP campaigns and advocacy.
Malankov says the Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23), a piece of legislation passed by the federal government last year, changes how Elections Canada can promote voting and will create barriers for many people, especially students, to vote in the upcoming election.
Since the summer, the YFS worked to get information about voting registration out to students to ensure they have what they need to vote.
Many argue the new laws will make voting harder for marginalized groups through different restrictions, such as acceptable identification for voting, as the traditional voucher system will no longer be accepted.
Additionally, the bill places the onus on political parties to engage youth and encourage youth voter turnout.
New amendments were added to the bill, as a result of the outrage expressed by citizens. The amendments include an alternative to vouching, allowing a voter without proof of address to sign a declaration and have it co-signed by another voter in their riding.
Different political clubs will be tabling during the YorkFest campus walk, from Conservatives, to Liberals, New Democrats, and socialists.
“As students we have the power to make change,” says Malankov.
“Together we can ensure that student issues and post-secondary education are priorities in this election and beyond.
On October 19, or during one of the many advanced polling days, we as students need to get out and make our voices heard.”

Ryan Moore, News Editor
Feaured image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons