Senator wants voting age lowered to 16

A senator says she’s pushing to lower Canada’s voting age to 16, and she’s working on a bill that would do just that.

Manitoba Senator Marilou McPhedren says the move to drop the voting age would get young people engaged in politics, improve voter turnout, and strengthen Canada’s democracy. Currently, Canadians cannot vote federally until after they turn 18.

During an interview Wednesday, McPhedren told CKOM/CJME’s John Gormley that being introduced to voting at a younger age tends to result in more regular participation in elections. Asked if she has any concerns about immaturity, McPhedren said there is ample evidence that 16-year-old youths are mature and competent enough to vote responsibly.

“Sixteen-year-olds can drive a killing machine,” McPhedren said. “They must pay taxes if they are employed or earning an income. They can enroll in the armed forces. They can be sent off to potentially harm and kill at the age of 17. There’s a lot that happens to 16-year-olds that I think tells us that they’re ready to vote.”

McPhedren said her call to lower the voting age is backed by the latest research on the subject, and said she wants any decisions on voting in Canada to be evidence-based.

“It’s better to engage younger, because those 16-year-olds are going to be the adults that are going to have to carry the country,” she said.

The senator said she’s been speaking with her fellow senators, Members of Parliament, cabinet ministers, and other politicians on the subject of voting age. McPhedren said most showed a keen interest in her proposal and she’s heard a lot of support, but said she didn’t want to make any “strong predictions” about whether her Senate bill would have enough support to become law.