Canadian Studies prof combats voter apathy

Richard Nimijean, lecturer and undergraduate supervisor in the School of Canadian Studies, hosted an election town hall in his Introduction to Canadian Studies class, Wednesday, January 11.

Nimijean organized the town hall to engage his students in Canadian democratic life.

The event was part of the Dominion Institute’s Democracy Project, which is sponsoring town halls across Canada targeting Canadian youth to raise awareness of and encourage participation in the political process. In an unusual show of solidarity, the Liberal, Conservative, NDP and Green parties agreed to cooperate in the Democracy Project. Each of the national political parties invites their candidates to participate in the forum.

Close to 200 students welcomed Ottawa-Centre candidates Paul Dewar of the NDP, David Chernushenko of the Green Party, and Alberta MP Monte Solberg of the Conservative Party.

Following an introduction by Nimijean, each candidate made a brief statement underscoring the importance of participating in the Canadian political debate – while taking the opportunity to plug their party platform. The floor was then opened to students, who grilled the panel on issues such as violence, childcare, electoral reform, and ethics.

The exercise energized students. In tutorial groups following the town hall, students had active discussions of the issues and of Canadian democracy in general. According to one TA, many students said they were more likely to vote as a result of the town hall.

Chalk 200 more votes up for democracy.