There are several points to that question. One is that young people are democratically involved in a lot of different ways, but there's a disconnect between traditional political institutions and the places where young people are. We really encourage members of Parliament and all of our community leaders to go to places where young people are and make sure there is a dialogue not just during election time, but all year round, between youth and members of Parliament. Often members of Parliament feel really distant. We don't feel we can access those people who are making big decisions on our behalf.
Another critical point is that young people don't feel that the business, especially of federal politics, affects their lives. There's a real disconnect in terms of their day-to-day lives and how they feel federal politics impacts them, so when voting comes around, it doesn't feel important. They don't really know why it's that important.
I think a third thing would be civic education. There is a lack of understanding and knowledge of what our democracy really is. There's also definitely a lack of opportunity for young people who are not engaged and who do not step up necessarily to the opportunity right off the bat to become engaged in democracy in ways that feel comfortable and interesting and dynamic to them.
I would encourage members of Parliament to both come to our events and dialogue with youth that way and also make sure that you are really reaching out to young people. We have a worksheet on our website with about ten tips to get young people to get out to vote. I would encourage you to read that as well.