News Release
November 3, 2004
For Immediate Release:
Holland tables bill to give youth the vote
A private member’s bill to lower the voting
age in federal elections to 16 will be introduced Thursday by
Mark Holland, the rookie MP from Ajax-Pickering.
“I’m deeply concerned about the low voter
turnout among voters under 25,” says Holland. “By allowing young
people to participate in the electoral system when they are in
school, and often taking civics courses, we reinforce a pattern
of voter participation that will stay with them throughout
life.”
Currently 16 year olds can vote in party
leadership selection votes, but they can’t vote in general
elections.
“Young people can join a political party
and choose a Prime Minister, and they can die in war, but under
present laws they can’t vote for a local candidate,” says
Holland. “I find this inconsistent. We should be doing all we
can to encourage youth to participate in the democratic
process.”
Holland notes that when he visits schools
he finds high school students are often as well informed or
better informed than many adults.
Holland’s bill differs from previous
private members’ bills on the same issue in two important
respects. New rules for private bills make it likely that the
bill will be voted on in the House. Under old rules, an earlier
bill was debated, but never put to a vote.
Secondly, Holland’s bill retains 18 as the
minimum age that a person could become a candidate for
Parliament.
“I don’t think we should be encouraging
young people to leave school,” Holland says. “There would also
be problems having candidates who are too young to sign legal
documents. So I make a distinction between voting and running
for office.”
Canada’s voting age was lowered to 18 from
21 in 1971. Since then, there have been several attempts by MPs
to lower the age to 16, but none have come to a vote in the
House. Earlier this year, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer,
Jean-Pierre Kingsley suggested reducing the age to 16 had merit.
As one of the younger new MPs – he turned
30 last month – Holland has taken a keen interest in concerns of
youth.
Holland will introduce his bill in the
House of Commons during routine proceedings, shortly after 10
a.m. on Thursday. It will not be debated until second reading.
Holland’s name came up at number 19 in a draw for private
members’ business meaning his bill will go to second reading and
probable vote early in the current Parliament.
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For further information:
Richard McGuire, Office of Mark Holland
(613) 995-8614
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