A Wave of Youthful Voices: Toronto Teens Push for Lower Voting Age
Across Canada, the political scene might soon witness significant changes, thanks to the passionate push from Toronto’s youth. A group of spirited teens recently celebrated a local victory as the Toronto city councillors embraced the MM22.6 motion on November 13, allowing city officials to research the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 for municipal polls.
This initiative doesn't directly grant 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote just yet, but it opens the door for them to engage meaningfully with issues affecting their neighborhoods, including proposals for speed bumps or new public transportation routes. Teen advocates, including 16-year-old Jaden Braves, the CEO of Young Politicians of Canada and the youngest member ever elected to the Green Party federal council, stress the importance of including young voices in the democratic process.
“It’s just obvious to me. Many 16-year-olds have jobs, pay taxes, use transportation, and other public services. We should get to have a say about the things we use,” Jaden articulated. His commitment to civic engagement is infectious, and he has teamed up with like-minded peer Aleksi Toiviainen, part of Vote16, to amplify their call for youth involvement at all levels of government.
“We thought, ‘Why don’t we start at the municipal level and show the rest of the country this could work on bigger scales?’” said Jaden. Their local efforts reflect the broader aspirations of youth empowerment across the country, aligning with movements aimed at lowering the voting age not just municipally, but federally and provincially as well.
While many cities have already initiated similar discussions, Toronto, being Canada’s largest municipality, holds significant sway. It could set the stage for similar movements nationwide, drawing the attention of lawmakers who may be hesitant to alter long-standing electoral traditions.
Advancements for Canadian youth rights glean increasing recognition, with eleven municipalities, including Calgary and Burnaby, having passed motions aimed at reducing the voting age. Notably, Senator Marilou McPhedran, who has introduced bill S-201 advocating for 16- and 17-year-olds to vote federally, views the recent Toronto milestone as potentially transformative for the country’s electoral future. “If Toronto witnesses significant change, it could influence other parts of Canada. I believe this city's movement could change the game,” she said.
Arguments for lowering the voting age hinge on the belief in youth's maturity and readiness to engage with democracy. Experts like Valere Gaspard, who is pursuing his PhD at the University of Ottawa, assert there’s substantial research indicating 16- and 17-year-olds are just as capable as their older counterparts. He reiterates: “Youth aged 16-17 are as mature and capable as 18-year-olds.”
Indeed, those supporting the initiative argue it could lead to heightened civic involvement among youths, equipping them with necessary skills and habits for future participation. “This mock voting for local issues allows youth to apply the civics lessons they receive at school to tangible situations, creating engaged, informed citizens ready for future voting,” said Sarah Morra, another leader advocating for the initiative.
With the potential to increase overall participation rates, proponents believe granting younger individuals the vote will strengthen democracy. They argue democratically rendering the voices of youth can only pave the way for addressing issues directly affecting them, such as climate change.
Not everyone is on board, though. Critics claim it’s perhaps too soon to normalize the voting age at 16, drawing on societal perspectives rather than research. Many assert 16- to 17-year-olds might lack the life experience necessary to cast informed votes, potentially compromising election legitimacy. Concerns have also been raised about temporary disenfranchisement and the notion not all youths might have the will to vote, leading to inconsistencies across different levels of government.
Despite varying opinions about the shift, many youths involved, such as Sarah Morra, echo sentiments of excitement and optimism. “I think reducing the voting age on the municipal level allows youth to be more community-minded and prepares them for voting at the higher levels,” she explained. Advocates believe taking this progressive step opens avenues for gaining lifelong voters who will remain engaged through the years, fostering democratic values rooted early on.
Toronto officials have now moved to begin researching the process and potential implementation of this proposed shift, with hopes to have concrete plans to present to the city council soon. With the recent victory, Toronto teens are certainly laying the groundwork for empowering not only their own generation but future youth generations across Canada.
The movement for youth empowerment extends beyond Toronto; it speaks to the growing desire of young citizens who wish to be heard and represented. The challenges surrounding the push to lower the voting age remind us all about the importance of involving the younger demographic for the careful crafting of policies relating to issues they will inherit. If successful, these movements offer encouraging signs of progress toward building civic-minded, responsible communities.
