Electoral reform? Cut voting age to 16

On Tuesday, the prime minister announced the creation of a Youth Council — a committee of 16- to 24-year-olds to advise him on national issues like employment, education, jobs and the environment. This is a great opportunity for young Canadians to have their voices heard. Here’s another way to hear them: lower the voting age to 16.

In 2015, an important component of the Liberals’ plat- form was to prepare young people to vote. The plan focused on registering young Canadians as part of the high school curriculum, including celebrations themed around the right and responsibility to vote. Real change would be extending the franchise to the nearly one million 16- and 17-year-olds in Canada.

I’m not inclined to debate whether 16- and 17-year olds are ready to vote. They are. Many are highly engaged in their community and informed about the major issues of the day.

Nor am I discouraged by that bugbear — low voter turnout among the young. In the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, 16- and 17-year-olds were empowered to vote and an estimated 75 per cent cast a ballot. In Austria and Norway (two jurisdictions that enfranchise this age group), evidence suggests that 16- and 17-yearolds are more likely to vote than 18- to 24-year-olds and in numbers not substantially lower than the average voter turnout rate.

I would urge the special House committee on electoral reform to consider the matter seriously. These Canadians have a tremendous amount to offer — topping that list is their voices in our democracy.

Grade 6 students from Annunciation Elementary School in Edmonton encouraged passing motorists to vote in the last federal election. Letter writer Matt Grant suggests that with many young people engaged with today’s issues, the voting age should be...