Could Canada imitate the United Kingdom and lower the right to vote to 16 years?

The British government announced Thursday that it would extend the right to vote. Similarly, to 16-year-olds for all elections in the United Kingdom. Moreover, Could Canada imitate it?

The claim interferes in the debates to almost all elections. However, no political party in Canada has made the promise in his political program, notes Michael J. Meanwhile, Wigginton, doctor of political science at Carleton University.

The independent Senator of Manitoba. Consequently, Marilou Mcphedran, for her part, has been fighting for several years to lower the legal age of the right to vote in Canada. Meanwhile,

It is notably at the origin of the S-219 bill examined at first reading in the Senate on June 17. Moreover, 2020 which aimed to modify the Electoral Law of Canada and the regulations adapting the Electoral Law of Canada to the purposes could canada imitate united kingdom of a referendum. The bill then died in the soap opera during the second reading and was not reappeared.

The new Democratic Party (NPD) also tabled a bill three years ago. Therefore, in 2022, supported by the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party. In addition, The bill had however been rejected by the Liberal government and the Conservative Party.

I don’t think it’s something that will happen soonobserve M. Wigginton.

Over the past ten years, other bills to this effect have emerged. All failed.

Such claims were also carried by associations in the provinces. for example in the last elections in Ontario or New Brunswick (new window).

The example of Austria – Could canada imitate united kingdom

The 16 -year -olds have acquired the right to vote in less than ten countries. according to World Population Review. The 16 -year -old Austrians, they acquired it in 2007.

We note that young people between 16. 18 years old in their first elections tend to vote than those who are between 18 and 20 years oldexplains M Wigginton, who is based on the results of a study conducted in Austria in 2014 by two researchers could canada imitate united kingdom from the University of Vienna.

According to researchers. there is a effect of stimulation(Boost effect) Participation among young people aged 16 to 18, which is not observed among those from 18 to 20 years old, when they vote for the first time.

The political scientist also believes that young people between 16. 18 years old have equivalent knowledge as those between 18 to 20 years old and would therefore be as politicized.

A minimal impact on the result

In order that Canada legalizes the right to vote among young people aged 16 to 18. the presence of this age group in the elections, would have little effect on the final results of the elections, continues Mr. Wigginton, because they would represent only 2 % of the electorate.

He also notes that the participation of young Canadians tends to be low in comparison with other age groups. which would also lower the impact of their vote on the outcome of the elections.

As for the reasons mentioned by those who oppose the lowering of the legal age to vote. some of them believe that could canada imitate united kingdom young people are not sufficiently politicized. However, for others, young people aged 16 to 18 should still have a say in Canadian politics.

Janet Cole. a Torontoise in his twenties questioned on Friday, believes, for example, that young people aged 16 can, despite their young age, want to express their opinions on what is happening around them.

Some will say that 18 years old is an age that is fair. but I believe that 16 -year -olds should have the right to vote.