Whenever Canada is brought up in a conversation, an immediate image of rolling prairies, great mountains, and forests as far as the eye can see comes up as a visual. A long with this physical description, the people of Canada are also portrayed. Friendly, mild manner, happy, and most of all free. A Canada flag on your luggage automatically makes you welcome wherever you venture, and the casual way of ending a sentence with “eh” relaxes and comforts the people around you. This description of a Canadian is a known stereotype that travels across the world. The roots of this can be tracked back through time to 1867 when Canada was first defined to be independent. This Independency is defined through and through the Canadian culture. Since the beginning Canada has been a democratic country, and held homes to “free” people.
From past to present Canada has maintained a strong democracy, through government policies, free speech and most of all voting. In recent years although this last point has become a major issue. The voter turnout has been decreasing, and there is less and less interest in government policies over the years. Statistics Canada shows that there has been a declining pattern from 1958 to present. If this continues on soon our “land of the free” will be no more. “Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing”, this quote by Archibald Macleish speaks truth. If we the citizens of Canada do not work to keep our democracy we risk the lost of it. It is our duty as Canadians to vote and keep our government in check.
It is often that you hear people voice their opinions of the government and their disagreements of the actions that are being taken. Voting is our chance to let our views be heard, and to make a change. Every vote does make a difference. The beauty of living in Canada is that we are able to call an election when we are dissatisfied, and we should be using this as an advantage. Voting is not a hassle but our right to check our government and to pass laws and policies that we want to address. Without watching the government carefully we can lose control of our own country. If everyone steps up we can continue moulding Canada into a better country and up hold our reputation.
I large problem with this decline in voter turnout is due to the upcoming generation. The younger people of today show much less interest in the government doings, and feel that voting can have no benefit to them personally. Many simply just don’t care, and it is this lack of enthusiasm that is causing the questioning of the strength of a democratic country. What is the point of giving the people a chance if they do not care? The voter turnout for the 2008 elections included only 7.1% of ages from 18 to 24. A large portion of this age group is students, and I believe that it is our job to become more involved with politics. By taking a more active interest in the government not only are we contributing to our country, but we are expanding our knowledge in more areas, and opening up new doors. After all our generation will have to one day step up and take over the country and by becoming involved now we have a better chance of improving and advancing our standard of living.
Students are actively involved in many clubs and groups as they travel through University, and I believe politics needs to become more highly rated of these. If we have the chance to become involved we have the chance to change our country for the better. It has even been made very simple for the average student to take part. Information is provided in many different ways, and we take part in our own elections at school. Election Canada has even formed an easy access website which provides all the information you need, giving background on candidates, discussing issues, and listing out the step by step way to vote.
The world is changing and it is now time for our generation to step up and fill the shoes. After all the years of fighting for freedom we must not let it slip away that easily from us. We have the chance to make a difference. Voting is a way to let our voices and opinions to be heard. After all it is our duty as a Canadian citizen and our right.
