Youth voices are important - it is the young Canadians today who will influence the country’s future. Lowering the voting age to 16 will give the opportunity for teenagers to become familiar with their rights, as well as contribute to their community by voting, voicing their beliefs, and making positive changes. 

The involvement of 16 to 17 year-olds in local politics can lead to enhanced civic engagement in school curriculums, allowing more young people to learn about the rights that they possess, how they can stand up for issues that they are passionate about, as well as the workings of the local, provincial, and federal government. Starting to vote at age 16 will help youth develop this into a life-long habit, leading to an overall increase in voter turnout - a trend that has been observed in countries such as Austria and Malta, where the minimum voting age is 16. 

Help us at L.I.G.H.T. in reaching our goal to lower the voting age to 16, and provide youth with the privilege to take part in and make change in their community.