MRU Votes!
Are students going to be taking part in the federal election?
Andrea Roberts, Contributor
The future of the country is in the hands of voters as the federal elections looms closer but will Mount Royal students be heading to the polls on Oct.19?
Traditional media often portrays young people as indifferent to politics and in the past, candidates have undervalued young Canadian’s votes. So we set out to find out if MRU’s students are planning to vote and how this demographic feels about the country’s issues.
Roughly 70 per cent of the students asked are planning to vote and only two students were undecided if they would partake. The remaining 26 per cent won’t be voting for a variety of reasons, such as being underage or simply uninterested. With the majority of students seemingly ready to vote, the next question was to find out whom they would be voting for.
Polls throughout the country currently show that the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Conservatives are leading with the most supporters and the students we surveyed seem to reflect the polls. Seven students said they are voting for the Conservatives and six for the NDP. Most students were still undecided, saying they need a better look at party platforms before they make a final decision.
While questioning the students we decided to find out what issues mattered the most to them and how this would effect their decisions at the polls. The most important issues to Mount Royal students appeared to be the economy and education. This isn’t surprising since most students have financial challenges, and a struggling economical climate has rippling effects in education and future job prospects.
For the most part it appears that Mount Royal students plan on voting. Young Canadians have a lot at stake in the upcoming election. It is after all, our futures on the line.
For more information about parties, candidates or any other election related topics, visit www.elections.ca