Evidence of meeting #28 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was elections.
A video is available from Parliament.
8:35 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
That's trending downward, isn't it? Would both of you agree on that? Students involved in youth political groups has declined steadily over the past 20 years. Would you agree?
8:40 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
I don't know any specific percentages, but given my involvement in my students union at my university, I do know that the societies that existed that were ratified under our students union, there were fewer members of those groups.
8:40 p.m.
Advisor, Citizen Engagement and Training, Table de concertation des forums jeunesse régionaux du Québec
Student involvement is shifting away from political parties in favour of civil society organizations. We're seeing that phenomenon all over the world. Although that doesn't mean it won't ever be possible to find a balance between both types of involvement, it is a reality.
I'd like to point out, if I may, that provincial elections agencies are following a different trend these days. They are focusing more on educating citizens and communicating with the general public. Elections Manitoba is one such agency that ran a project of that nature during the last election. It has a Web site, http://citizennext.ca, aimed at encouraging parents to bring their children with them when they vote. I encourage you to check it out. It's quite something because it targets that interaction between young people and their parents that my colleague was talking about. Because the child sees the voting experience first-hand, it sparks the discussion at home and their parents talk to them about voting.
When families or friends talk about politics, it encourages voter turnout. When you study people who do go out and vote, you realize that they discuss politics with their families and friends. And taking action to capitalize on that is immensely valuable. I think we should really take a closer look at doing more in that connection.
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
You're well past your time, Mr. Simms. I was letting a good answer go on.
We're going now to a round of four minutes, starting with Mr. Opitz.
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and through you, to the witnesses.
Mr. Fraser, would you agree that citizenship has duties and responsibilities?
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
So how do you answer when a student comes to you and asks, “Why should I care?”
8:40 p.m.
Secretary General, Canadian Teachers' Federation
As a federation we answer in a number of ways.
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
I'm not asking about a federation. I'm asking you as an individual. How do you answer?
8:40 p.m.
Secretary General, Canadian Teachers' Federation
I think that's a red herring for this particular bill, but I certainly explain to students how deeply I care and why I think it matters to their future.
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
It would be interesting to note that in “Discover Canada”, the citizenship guide for new citizens, there is a fairly extensive section on citizenship, its duties, and duties to vote, and the various ways to vote are there.
Also, Ms. McCormick, for 30 years Elections Canada has been educating the public, including students, on how to vote. So how do you explain that trending down since they have been doing this for three decades?
8:40 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
I would say the problem I have mentioned in a couple of answers is not simply that there's a lack of information, but a lack of reflection in the candidates and in the parties on the issues of youth. I think some other members have cited that as well.
When you don't see a candidate who stands for election, somebody for you to choose that is talking about the issues that matter to you, or political parties more generally that are talking to issues that matter to youth, not just during elections but in between, then there's not that vested interest in engaging in democracy.
April 7th, 2014 / 8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
All across the board, on all sides, we all do try to reach out in between elections—those of us who are incumbents—to reach out and talk to people. But my time is limited so I'm going to move on.
You did say 100,000 students were vouched for, but across the country it was approximately 120,000, so I'm having a hard time understanding why only 20,000 other Canadians, non-students, were vouched for.
We're having a little trouble with your numbers.
8:40 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
I actually didn't say that. I said more than 100,000 people were vouched for. I didn't specify that it was students.
8:40 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
Okay, fair enough.
You have a constituency because you're the national chair. What is your role in this dialogue spurring discussion, educating your constituency as to how to vote, and what ID they may require? I'm sure you didn't come here today without ID. You would have to have approved ID just to get into this building.
What leadership responsibilities do you perform as the national chair?
8:40 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
We are a membership-driven organization. At our two national assemblies each year students bring forward their priorities as engaged citizens, whether it pertains to party politics or other issues that matter to students. Then I carry out those priorities in my day-to-day responsibilities, one of which is making it easier for students to vote.
Over more than the past year, since the last federal election, I have been engaged with Elections Canada in a number of consultations and meetings to talk about strategies to increase youth voter turnout among status polling stations on campuses.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Ted Opitz Conservative Etobicoke Centre, ON
Great. So you've been involved. Thank you.
My time is short so, Mr. Chair, I'm going to give my last minute to Mr. O'Toole.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
Erin O'Toole Conservative Durham, ON
Quickly, then, Ms. McCormick, you express some concerns about e-bills not being acceptable. I'm pointing now to annex C of the Neufeld report, really the list of 39 IDs. It has three specific IDs, apart from all the others—the student ID, correspondence from a school, the student residence attestation.
This document is actually controlled by Elections Canada. They add to it. Have you made submissions about e-bills being added? It's actually Elections Canada that expands this list going forward. Have you made that submission that e-bills would be important to add to this?
8:45 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
Yes. In our consultations we have talked about those 39 pieces of identification that are options, made suggestions for other ones that should be available, and talked about increasing the education so people know which is possible.
8:45 p.m.
National Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students
Certainly, it could grow.
8:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Perfect. Thank you.
We'll move on to Madam Latendresse for four minutes, or a little bit more it seems.