Students are getting a lesson in democracy as the provincial election nears.
Local schools are again taking part in the Student Vote program and will be casting ballots June 6, the day before the election.
Among those participating in Orillia is Notre Dame Catholic School, where 180 students will vote for who they think should represent Simcoe North at Queen’s Park.
“They seem very eager,” said Notre Dame teacher Brian Gogarty.
The students have been able to speak with local politicians as they prepare for the vote. They also made presentations in class on the party leaders and their platforms, thanks to resources made available to schools by CIVIX, which oversees Student Vote.
While the results will not count in the actual election, it’s an important exercise and a way to get the students in grades 5 to 8 interested in their future civic duty.
“They’re so engrossed in information from the internet and social media, so we need to open up dialogue … and show them critical thinking,” Gogarty said. “We try to dissect what the leaders are saying in terms of their platforms.”
They can’t legally vote, but that doesn’t mean the issues at the provincial level don’t affect them, he said, using the proposed minimum wage increase as an example.
“It relates to them and what’s at stake when they’re employable,” Gogarty said.
The students do have some experience with the ballot box. They held mock elections to choose a mayor and council of their peers, a process that included a campaign for votes.
“It gives them the power to come up with decisions and (consult) with their fellow students,” Gogarty said. “They really enjoy it. It empowers them.”
Notre Dame will be a polling station on election day, “so (the students) will be able to see that taking place in the school while 180 students will be voting here.”
According to the CIVIX Student Vote website, more than 2,600 Ontario schools had registered to vote as of Tuesday afternoon, including five in Orillia.
