Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1365931
Prologue Between October and December of 2020, Canadian high school students from coast-to-coast-to-coast came together through virtual connections and an online collaborative classroom to discover, discuss, and dialogue on the proposed legislative change to lower the voting age in Canada. With a broad lens to both sides of this debate, and under the guidance and support of academics, policy-makers, international youth leaders, volunteer and private sector experts, and members of the Senate, these youth (ages 13-19) collaborated on a 3-month learning project to understand the complexity of this democratic change. To further enhance their voices, the students conducted a National Youth Survey, reaching out to over 400 of their peers. From BC, to Nunavut, to Newfoundland and Labrador, they expanded their understanding of opinions and arguments on this issue. Informed by schools, communities, regional, provincial, and expert perspectives, they synthesized their ideas, knowledge, and experiences into this final national report. Written by the youth, it expresses their thoughts, concerns, and potential actions surrounding lowering the voting age. As Canada moves towards a decision on Bill S-209, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and the Regulation Adapting the Canada Elections Act for the Purposes of a Referendum (voting age), the youth involved in this project want to put forth their arguments and calls to action around what has been done and what has yet to be done as a nation. The enclosed report, The #Vote16 National Youth Dialogue, is an effort to capture and capitalize on their shared passion and drive for a better tomorrow.