Full confidence in our teenagers

Dear editor: As a retired B.C. teacher, I have full confidence in lowering the voting age to 16.

In my experience, the deliberations of a well-run high school council produces thoughtfulness, involvement, enthusiasm and respect in their decision making.

Of course, the student council members are the cream of the crop, voted in by their peers. But, they are far more mature in their behaviour than are many MPs in our House of Commons. And, we adults voted those MPs in. What does that say?

There is a possibility that B.C. may pass legislation allowing 16-year-olds to vote in the next provincial election. Anybody who believes they don’t have enough interest in politics to be allowed to vote should examine the youth-developed site at BC-Youth4PR illustrating their evidence-based interest in reforming an electoral process that will make their votes count and give them more thoughtful, cooperative, and inclusive government during the rest of their lives.

The pendular governments that have cost us so much and represented so few during my lifetime are relics of the dark ages.

I’m all for a freshening breeze from the better-educated and more-hopeful younger generation.

To them we throw the guttering torch. I know that it will burn much brighter in their hands. Ian MacKenzie Kamloops

Letters to the editor of 400 words or less may be sent for consideration to editor James Miller at: letters@ok.bc.ca. Include a phone number for verification.