Latest posts (RSS 2.0)Since this is my first blog post, I believe a sincere welcome is in order. What an exciting time to be writing about politics, when we have no government working for us and an electorate growing more disillusioned and cynical by the hour.
This past weekend I attended the McGill Model UN conference where Montreal MP and son of the great former-PM Justin Trudeau was the keynote speaker. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in the oratory wonderment of gifted, affable politicians, but after hearing him speak I’ve come to the conclusion that Mr. Trudeau is a force to be reckoned with.
In times of political standstill, it’s usually the dashing, brilliant speakers who rise to power. We saw that with President Barack Obama last year and President John F. Kennedy before him. A fresh face that can deliver an inspiring speech typically does very well in times when people are deeply disappointed in their government. But where their effect is seen most resoundingly is among the country’s youth. Political figures like President Obama are the people who get the young off their duffs and to the poll stations to cast a ballot.
Some people thought Michael Ignatieff was going to be that guy for Canada, but he’s proven to be little more than an inexperienced political gambit. I respect many of Mr. Ignatieff’s ideas but his pathetic attempts at bringing down the Harper government through weakly snide remarks are not moving this country in any positive direction.
I may be going out on a limb, but I think Justin Trudeau may be our guy. He certainly knows how to attract younger generations since he himself is a mere 38 and his background is in education, having taught in B.C. high schools. He connects with Quebec and he knows the hot button issues facing the country, namely the environment and foreign relations.
I hate to make Justin Trudeau out to be our panacea, but I think he represents young Canadians far better than anyone else in power. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the young vote recognized for once? For the past few elections, our generation hasn’t received one iota of interest from the reds and blues. As comedian Rick Mercer said in a Rant segment on his show,
“If you’ve got one leg, two kids, you work on a farm; the parties, they have a pitch for you—unless, of course, you happen to be a student, in which case, you’re completely off the radar.”
Just look at the Facebook group “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament,” which has over 222,000 members and is still going strong. Conservatives label this as “political chatter”, as the Globe and Mail reported.
Seriously? “Political chatter?” 222,000 people is more than twice the population of Kingston. Sure, a Facebook group does not constitute a vote (if they did, Heidi Montag would probably end up leaving the Hills and Spenny would declare an eternal forfeit), but it still reflects our interests, which our elected representatives are supposed to follow.
Young people have many forces working against them in Canadian politics. For one, our electoral system keeps out parties like the Greens and the NDP, which have overwhelming support from younger generations. Then we have a prime minister that doesn’t care about anybody who isn’t Conservative. We also are outnumbered by our parents and older generations who vote and have money.
This is why I think the only way we’re going to have our say is if someone younger and better comes along. Young people aren’t going to turn up at the polls otherwise, and probably justifiably. I wish I could say something motivational, but I’m just as stumped for ideas of effecting change as you are. All I can say is our time will come.
