Lowering the Age to Vote Would Help Reduce Political apathy While it is clear that political apathy is a very real issue in Canada when considering that only approximately 44% of eligible voters between ages 18 and 24 voted in the 2006 general election, it seems that the present apathy expressed by Canadian teens is likely to be reduced if youth are educated and allowed to participate in democracy at a younger age. Although it is mandatory, in Ontario, that each student completes one half-credit of Civics, a course that is supposed to be focused on making students politically active, it’s effectiveness is very limited, especially when students who value politics and care about the direction of their country are forbidden to vote for at least another two years. Because of the alarmingly low turnout, particularly among younger voters, it seems that the importance of engaging in democratic practices has been reduced as a result of the lack of resources and support from the education system as well as the government. At the age of 16, teens that possess enough maturity and logic to take the time to vote should be allowed to become involved and hopefully establish practices that they will continue for the rest of their lives. Although opposing voices may claim that at 16, youth are too oblivious of the party policies to vote, what better way to get them involved in learning the policies than teaching them that their opinion matters. Along with increased support towards parties, allowing young citizens of Canada to vote will bring about a fresh outlook on politics within our country. While the focus of older generations is largely based on economic matters, the youth would be able to express their concerns for more universal issues such as poverty, hunger, discrimination, corruption within the police force, and also have part in deciding the priorities of the budget. SO, this petition proposes that the LEGAL AGE TO VOTE IS REDUCED TO 16 so that young Canadians who care about the world and the direction that their country is headed have a voice and become involved in municipal, provincial, and federal politics in order to develop an understanding of the importance of democratic practices, and also to eliminate the current apathy that is far too present among the youth of current times and maintain the promise that the Canadian government works for the good of its people.