moved for leave to introduce Bill C-437, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act.
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to introduce this bill today. This bill has to do with people in Canada 16 and 17 years old who are not able to vote in national elections. At age 16 people can join the armed forces, drive vehicles, participate in party conventions to select leaders of political parties and participate in the development of policy.
In countries where the voting age is 16, I am pleased to say that the participation rate is exceedingly high. This tells us that given the opportunity, young people will participate in the political process even more than their parents.
This private members' bill is an effort to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years for national elections.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)