The Canadian Federal Elections

Amidst all the stress and apprehension that comes with being a grade 12 student and facing your transition into the “real world,” a very important event for our country has been almost entirely overlooked by grads.  Yes, the 42^nd Canadian Federal Election is coming up, and few students seem to have thought about it.  After briefly interviewing three grade 12 students (real names not included), the only answer shared by all three was “No, I have not thought about the upcoming federal elections.”  From that point on, their opinions differed.

Jane, age 16, (not their real name,) thinks they comprehend how voting and the electoral system works, and how their vote will carry weight in deciding upon the country’s next governing body.  John, age 17, understands as well, but not due to the school’s Planning 10 course.  Fortunately, John found the Social Studies courses, especially Socials 11, very helpful in explaining the electoral system.  Jill, age 17, mentioned that since they turn 18 after the elections, they would not have to think about them for another four years.  Jane likes the idea of a candidate who would make post-secondary less expensive, making it easier for more people to get higher education, while John simply hopes for a candidate who does not compromise their morals.

Despite the fact that few grade 12 students will be old enough to participate in the upcoming election, being someone on the brink of entering adulthood means that we should at least be thinking about it..  One of the most prevalent trends noticeable in analysis of elections over the years is the consistently low number of people aged 18-24.  In 2011, only 38.8% of people in that age group participated in the vote, though this was an improvement of 4.9% over the previous election in 2008.  Young adults often feel that their voices are not being heard; that what they think does not matter.  As soon as one is old enough to vote, they should begin carefully considering the candidates and what they stand for.

I highly recommend that all grade 12 students begin to examine the various parties vying for the place to form Canada's next government.  Even if you're not yet old enough to vote, the decisions made by whoever is in power still affect you.  The current political parties with seats in the House of Commons are the Conservative Party (currently in power,) the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, the Bloc Québécois, the Green Party, and the Strength in Democracy Party.  Eight independents also sit in the House of Commons.

Sources: http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rec/part/estim/41ge&document=report41&lang=e

The Sullivan Heights GSA

Leaving elementary school behind can be a scary transition for new secondary students.  Fortunately, there are many resources put in place to make the journey a more comfortable one.  Future students tour the school, meet the teachers, and are given bucket-loads of information.  Yet coming to high school is still scary, and sometimes, support networks are necessary.  For students identifying as lgbt+ (for the purposes of this article, the term “queer” will be used,) finding a place to fit in can be even more important.

This week, I sat down with the President of Sullivan Heights’ GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) to learn more about the club, its members, and what they are trying to accomplish.  Alex Westhaver, grade twelve, has been president for four years, as well as co-founding the club with former Sulli student Jasmine Broeder.  This group aims to educate both queer students and their non-lgbtq counterparts, as well as offering support for their growth into adulthood.  Alex believes that the GSA’s presence in our school stands to say, “We believe that it is important to support our students as people, no matter … who they are.”  The club meets in Mr. Dewinetz’s room every Wednesday, as a place where you can share your ideas and meet people you can relate to.

However, the club lives up to its name in providing a space where students who are not members of the queer community can also become educated on issues faced in today’s society.  On the topic of non-queer students, “everyone can join,” Alex says.  Contrary to what one may believe, to join GSA, “you don’t have to commit to [it] every single week or [to] one single identity, because identities are always changing.”

Alex has stated, “I think it’s really important to have queer specific spaces, but it would be my dream if the entire world could be an alliance between not just gay and straight people, but between human beings as a whole.”  The Gay-Straight Alliance of Sullivan Heights may be just one group, in just one school, but every single person who can find a place to fit in makes its existence worthwhile.