The ripples of the provincial election are being felt in high schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows this May.
There are, of course, some graduating students who will be old enough, at 18, to cast a ballot for the first time this May.
But the program Student Vote B.C., operated by Elections B.C. and Civix, is facilitating a parallel election for students. It is an effort to get them engaged in the electoral process at a young age, and have young people start to think about politics while they are still in school.
In the 2009 general election, about half of registered voters cast a ballot.
In the 55-plus age group, about 70 per cent voted.
But for young adults, only about 40 per cent went to the polls.
Pitt Meadows secondary student Cole White will cast a ballot in the student vote, and says he and his friends do talk about political issues, and even about the election.
When local candidates were at Pitt Meadows secondary to discuss the election recently, they might have been expecting softball questions from the kids.
White put them on the spot, asking if they would be prepared for the kind of massive student demonstrations that plagued government in Quebec in 2012.
“We’re worried about our future,” he said. “We care about our country, and we care about our province.”
An important issue for B.C. teens is the rising cost of post-secondary education.
“It’s ridiculous for some places,” he said, noting that attending this province’s most expensive institutions will cost students an average of $17,000 a year.
“If you’re from a lower end-wage bracket, you’re going to be a long time paying that loan down.”
One of White friend’s wants to become a surgeon, and he is anticipating a whopping $90,000 in student loan debt.
White points out that the present generation is bombarded with information and points of view in a way their parents never were.
“With social media, people become more intertwined with how the world works,” he added. “You hear a whole bunch more about government now.”
Kelly Paton, a Grade 12 student at Pitt Meadows, will vote for the first time in this election, and admits to being nervous, and wanting more information.
“It’s a big decision.”
She, too, sees post secondary education as “insanely expensive.”
Another key issue for her is the job market.
“I wish there were better opportunities for people working for the first time,” she said, “especially after post-secondary school.”
She sees her vote as giving her a say in the affairs of the province.
“I fell like I have a little bit of power now.”
For her, and her friends who are able to participate in their first election, voting is another rite of passage.
“With the fact that it’s in the year I’m graduating, it’s another step closer to adulthood.”
Teacher Holly Burrows ran a Student Vote at Pitt Meadows secondary during the last federal election, and is involved with organizing one for this month, along with the social justice class.
She also had the candidates come to the school for a panel with students, and was impressed with the questions put to the candidates. The high schoolers asked about the HST, the B.C. Rail sale, legalization of marijuana, student tuition and environmental policy.
Burrows tries to impart a sense of responsibility to participate in democracy.
“I tell them, ‘You can’t complain about government if you don’t vote. I like to complain, so I vote.’”
She gave kudos to the candidates for coming to her school to talk to the kids. Michael Patterson of the Green Party was not able to attend, but the NDP’s Elizabeth Rosenau, Liberal Dr. Doug Bing and Conservative Mike Pratas fielded questions.
“I was impressed they showed up, and that they thought it was important. And the kids were very receptive.”
Garibaldi, Thomas Haney and Maple Ridge secondary schools will also all be participating in the Student Vote.
“Students like the student vote,” said White. “While it doesn’t mean anything now, it shows where student support is going to be in a couple of years.”
If that’s true, the Green Party might be expecting a big boost in its fortunes.
The 2009 student vote in B.C. saw 60,000 students in 454 schools cast a ballot. The NDP would have won the election with 47 seats and 37 per cent of the popular vote, while the Liberals would have had 24 seats and 29 per cent of the vote. The Green Party would have elected 12 MLAs, with 27 per cent of the vote.
2009 student vote results
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows (1074 valid ballots):
• Michael Sather, NDP, 411;
• Ken Stewart, Liberal, 296;
• Robert Hornsey, Green, 272;
• Chum Richardson, Independent, 62;
• Jay Ariken, Refed, 31.
Maple Ridge-Mission (420 valid ballots):
• Mike Bocking, NDP, 202;
• Mike Gildersleeve, Green, 112;
• Marc Dalton, Liberal, 98;
• Ian Vaughan, Reform 8.
All-candidates on education
A provincial all-candidates forum on public education will be held on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at Thomas Haney secondary, at 23000 – 116th Avenue. Issues debated will include education funding, labour relations and co-governance with local school boards.