Hook them while they're young

Hook them while they're young

Y-Files

Youth column
By: Adam McLean

Ontario will be seeing red for another four years, after last night’s election win by Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal Party.

The young voter demographic — 18 to 25 year olds — holds the distinction of the lowest voter turnout at around 50 per cent, meaning these votes are hard to come by.

“Until students see a significant difference that affects their daily lives, and tomorrow is different from today, interest will be low,” said Ashley Yuval, vice-president of the Seneca Student Federation at King campus.

True words, considering politicians are competing with iPods and Xbox 360 when attempting to gain the attention of young people.

Mr. McGuinty’s platform and approach kept this in mind and he struck a chord early in his campaign by perking up the ears of many students throughout the province when he announced that, if elected, he would add a statutory holiday in February.

What student/young voter doesn’t love the idea of an extra day away from school?

Score a big point to Mr. McGuinty for this move because, aside from handing out free beer or video games, another day to sleep in or be lazy, is like an extra snow day.

Further enticement was provided by the Liberals, who say they will provide a $300 textbook and technology grant to all post-secondary students.

This could save some students more than 10 per cent of their tuition, which is a big deal considering I have seen students line up for hours at registration offices to get their $50 dental insurance back.

These two promises alone swayed any undecided young voter and gained the support of uninterested eligible youth.

The premier tapped into a gold mine of impressionable voters and by promising money and a day off school, students may very well have seen him as cool Uncle Dalton, while they voted last night.

Thanks to him, we get some extra spending money for our new February long weekend.

Mission accomplished by Mr. McGuinty and the Liberals. Hook them while they’re young.

Adam Mc Lean is a member of York Region Media Group’s Y-team.

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