It’s time for students to decide what player they want to be in the game of democracy, if they choose to play at all.
Ontario’s election day on Feb. 27 is quickly approaching—an opportunity to finally utilize voting rights in the Ontario provincial election. The lack of on-campus polling stations across Canada suggests students are overlooked as voters, but they shouldn’t be.
The student population possesses powerful political voices and are historically capable of mobilizing change. For students like myself, it’s safe to say we have strong opinions surrounding major issues including housing, education, healthcare, and more. By voting, students can put their civic angles into action and seek resolution for the subjects that directly affect them.
It’s time for students to vote for the party they trust to take these issues seriously. By using the Elections Canada website, you can find your polling station location and hours. There’s no registration required, all you need is a valid government ID and proof of address, like an electronic copy of your lease.
Students make up a significant portion of Kingston’s community, as St. Lawrence College (SLC), Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), and Queen’s students comprise roughly 35, 000 people living in the City of Kingston during the school year. Yet, you won’t see any polling stations on campus this year.
In 2021, Elections Canada got rid of their Vote on Campus program which sought to aid students in voting—a baffling decision since on-campus polls drastically increased student voters. For example, there was a 60 per cent increase in student voters in the 2019 federal election cycle as a result of the Vote on Campus program.
Democracy relies on the voices of the people. By removing the option of on-campus polling stations, Elections Canada is failing to look after an important group of voters—students.
Of all the years to exercise this right, now is the perfect time. It’s hard not to see the winds of change stirring, with happenings south of the border impossible to ignore.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who led Canada for nearly a decade, announced his resignation on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, two-time President Donald Trump has strained the once-strong Canada-US relationship, raising questions about Canada’s sovereignty and sparking a trade war.
It’s safe to say there’s a lot of social and economic unrest and palpable uncertainty surrounding the next four years.
The outcome of the provincial election will provide direct insight into how the results of the federal elections, taking place on or before Oct. 25, may turn out. Whoever is elected as Ontario’s premier will reflect the sentiment of a lot of Canadians, as Ontario is the largest province—home to a population of over 14 million people according to the 2021 Canadian census.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard students complaining about the healthcare system in Kingston, including myself. I’ve had a lifetime’s worth of waiting anxiously to be seen by a doctor in the Kingston General Hospital waiting room. The underfunding of Ontario healthcare, resulting in a shortage of family doctors, is growing increasingly concerning.
The housing crisis in Ontario is another hot topic of complaint amongst the student body. Beyond the obvious exploitation of students by Kingston landlords, all of Ontario is in a housing crisis. In Ontario, 30 per cent of household income or more is spent on shelter, with Toronto being the most expensive city in Canada to buy a home.
The major responsibilities of the Ontario premier, like housing, healthcare, and education, will directly impact the people of Ontario’s living standards. By voting, students have the chance to choose the party they believe will do their best to fix and address these issues.
Advanced voting closed on Feb. 22, with a turnout of only six per cent of eligible voters, which hopefully means election day will be quite busy. Students can vote in person on Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at polling stations near the University District, like Winston Churchill Public School (530 Earl St.) and Kingston Memorial Centre (303 York St.).
I’m not saying your vote is guaranteed to succeed. Perhaps you’re cynical and believe Canada’s political system is doomed, but everyone, including students, still need to try. That’s probably the only right answer Canadians have.
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