Should 16-Year-Olds Get the Vote in Canada?

Lowering the Voting Age: Empowering Canada's Youth

Is the low youth voter turnout a result of apathy, or is the system simply failing to listen? In this episode, host Mike Wixson sits down with Jerry and Jason from Vote16.ca to discuss the growing movement to lower Canada's federal and provincial voting age to 16.

As the creators of the Twin Talk Politics podcast, Jerry and Jason share their journey from volunteering at MP offices to advocating on the Senate floor. They argue that 16 and 17-year-olds are already politically engaged and deserve a say in the issues that will define their futures—from climate change to the housing crisis and the rising costs of post-secondary education.

Why Vote 16 Matters

• Combatting Systemic Apathy: Shifting the narrative from "lazy youth" to a system that excludes younger voices.
• Civic Education: How lowering the voting age creates an immediate incentive for students to engage with social studies and civic curriculum.
• Global Precedent: A look at the 17 countries—including Scotland, Argentina, and the UK—that have already successfully integrated younger voters.
• Legislative Progress: An update on Bill S-222 and the provincial movements currently gaining momentum in British Columbia and beyond.

Video Timestamps

• 0:27 – Introduction to Jerry, Jason, and the Vote16.ca movement.
• 1:02 – Actual data: Are 16-year-olds more engaged than adults?
• 2:36 – The "Twin Talk Politics" backstory and MP office experience.
• 5:38 – Key youth issues: Climate change, housing, and education costs.
• 8:44 – Legislative Update: Senator McPhedran and Bill S-222.
• 11:12 – How the younger generation consumes and filters political news.
• 12:30 – Where else in the world are 16-year-olds already voting?
• 15:41 – How to get involved: Local campaigns and municipal endorsements.
• 17:39 – Mike’s "gut response" vs. the reality of youth political discussion.

Take Action: Visitvote16.cato find municipal campaigns in your area, read policy briefs, and learn how to talk to your friends and family about electoral reform.

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