Election calling out to millennials

Now’s the time for young people to get involved, writes Gavin Dew.

More than half of the mayors in Metro Vancouver aren’t running for re-election. There’s no question this is a renewal cycle, but will Oct. 20 usher in a younger, new cohort of municipal leaders?

Across the spectrum, there is a strong appetite to rebalance the generational scales, and not just among millennials.

The non-partisan Forum for Millennial Leadership (FML) recently commissioned a study that found that 75 per cent of British Columbians want to see younger elected officials step up and take leadership.

Millennials ( born starting around 1980) are the largest generation in Canada, at 27 per cent of the population. In Metro, they account for 38 per cent of the population, among Canada’s highest concentrations of young people. But only a dozen of the 155 current mayors and councillors in the region are under 40. It’s time for that to change.

Younger voters increasingly see the importance of municipal government. This should come as no surprise. The issues dominating this election cycle overwhelmingly affect young people. As the FML study found, British Columbians between 18 and 34 now see city council as the level of government that impacts them most in their daily lives.

All generations are ready to see younger people step up. There may be those who cling to the mantra that young people aren’t ready or don’t vote. But millennial voter turnout is increasing. More importantly, 77 per cent of voters over 55 want to elect younger leaders. If a new generation of municipal leaders is elected it will be because seniors helped vote them in.

Despite overwhelming calls for younger leaders, there are still gaps in confidence and capacity. Only 26 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds believe candidates their age are taken seriously, versus 59 per cent who believe they aren’t. Even after changes to election finance, only a quarter of young people think they could raise enough money to mount a successful campaign. It’s hard to fundraise when your friends are struggling to pay rents, mortgages and diaper bills, not to mention all that avocado toast millennials are supposedly spending all their money on.

So, what to do?

If you’re a young person and you’re not sure whether to throw your hat in the ring, do it! This may be the best opportunity for generational renewal our city councils will see in a decade. Waiting and complaining won’t change the situation. The window for nominations is Sept. 4 to 14. Step up, sign up and start knocking on doors.

If you’re an incumbent on a city council, support young candidates. It’s time for the people who will be most impacted by your decisions to have a direct voice at the table. Selfishly, it may save your political bacon.

If you’re a political organization, listen to your young candidates and supporters. Lift them up, push them forward and make sure they’re central to your campaign, not just there for the photo shoot. Neglect young voters and supporters at your peril.

If you’re an older voter, take young candidates seriously. Let them know you do by expecting them to earn your vote like any other candidate. And don’t be surprised when they do.

If you’re a young person, get involved. Refuse to be reduced to a stereotype and relegated to the sidelines. Demand to be taken seriously, and earn it. Be living proof that millennials are neither entitled nor disengaged. Every single one of us in the most connected generation in history can educate ourselves on the issues, interact with the candidates, volunteer our time or find a few dollars to support a candidate.

It will be time and money well spent.

You get the future you vote for.

This may be the best opportunity for generational renewal our city councils will see in a decade ... step up, sign up and start knocking on doors.