For Maya Darcy, the environment is one of the biggest things on her mind as she thinks about who to vote for in the upcoming Ontario election.
“I don’t want the sun to burn the Earth,” said Darcy, who just turned 18 and goes to St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge.
“Definitely environment, education, growing up, like for my kids – even when I’m older, things happening now are going to affect my kids and my grandkids.”
CBC Kitchener-Waterloo recently stopped by a Grade 12 Challenges and Change in Society class at St. Benedict’s taught by Cindy Penner.
The students were asked what worries them most before the June 2 election. Not everyone wanted to chat with CBC K-W, but those who did shared their main concerns and talked about where they get their news from.
Student Candice Rodricks says her biggest issues are the environment and Indigenous matters – including clean drinking water. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
Candice Rodricks, also 18, agreed with Darcy about caring for the environment but added that Indigenous issues really matter to her too.
“Our generation is inheriting this world and we’re inheriting this society , and so I think it’s really important that even though we’re not full adults yet, the decisions that our government is making right now [are] going to affect our future,” she said.
“I think it’s really important to make sure you have a voice.”
Mariana Jesus felt similarly. She’ll turn 18 in May and has already had lively political chats at home with her family.
Mariana Jesus says her parents and grandparents are interested in politics – which has made her want to learn more herself. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
“I’m a first-generation Canadian and I notice that even my grandparents who don’t live in their home country, they’ll still stay informed about what’s going on … what the political state is. And I want that for myself because I kind of grew up with that and I want to stay informed,” she said.
Education on students’ minds
Education was top priority for some students like 18-year-old Julia Renner. She mentioned how remote learning during COVID-19 affected her studies plus teachers’ strikes before all this disrupted schooling too.
“I’m a student now. I’m going to be a student for at least the next four years. I’m thinking I might go into teaching. So it’s a big kind of aspect of my life.”
Julia said she mostly knows who she’ll vote for come June.
“My political stance is very similar to that of my parents, really. So I’ve been pretty set on this in a while,” Renner said.
CBC K-W visited St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School recently talking with students about what matters most ahead of provincial voting day; here are Julia Renner, Rebecca Reeve and Tara Lade left-right (Kate Bueckert/CBC)>Madeleine Eggleton, aged 18, said she’s eager to vote when time comes.>>”I think it’s important for young people to vote. You know, we’re like.. the future,” she joked lightly before getting serious about what matters most.>”My biggest concern is probably education and making sure that I get a good post-secondary education,” she explained.>”I just want to make sure that my university experience is authentic and that I learn to my maximum potential.”>
Madeleine Eggleton feels politicians often listen more closely to parents since they’re voters-not always younger people like herself (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
Where teens get info
>When asked how they learn about politicians or their promises these days many teens say social media apps such as Tik Tok or Instagram play a role along with chatting with friends & parents plus traditional news sources too.>Rebecca Reeve (17) mentioned sometimes watching news programs alongside family members.>”I try to stay informed. I feel like a lot of it is really confusing,” she admitted quietly. “I do find it overwhelming because there’s just so much info coming at you all once.”>
Her friend Tara Lade (18) described herself as “fairly politically active” who likes keeping up-to-date on current events.
“I do try keeping myself informed & have opinions,” Lade told us “Voting feels like an important right & privilege – something my family keeps reminding me about over past few years.”
Nervous but excited about voting
Morgan Barillari (17) expressed excitement over finally casting her own ballot someday soon.
“I’m excited turning 18 cause then I’ll be able vote! Plus I’d love learning more ’bout politics anyway.”Morgan Barillari says she’s keen on understanding voting processes better & hearing candidates out (Kate Bueckert/CBC)
This interest partly comes from passion around support systems available for sexual assault victims – an issue Morgan feels gets overlooked quite often by officials.
“Feels government doesn’t focus enough helping victims through therapy etc., should pay way more attention,” Morgan shared plainly.
Cadee Wilson will turn 18 next month; learning politics helped her navigate dating someone whose views were more conservative than hers.
I felt need push back sometimes because people tend stick hard w/ own beliefs,” Cadee noted.
I believe everyone should freely express own political views & have choices-which makes voting super key.”
Kelsey Taillon (aged 18) believes she’s decided how she’ll cast her ballot but wants still dig deeper into parties/candidates beforehand.
I wanna be totally sure I’m making informed choice when voting.. stuff can change last minute sometimes,” Kelsey explained.Ava Castro says some friends talk politics openly while others avoid it fearing arguments or being judged (Kate Bueckert/CBC)Ava Castro won’t be old enough vote this June but hopes ready by October’s municipal election; admits feeling stressed thinking ’bout voting.“Of course would love knowing more so when voting feels exciting rite-of-passage thing” Ava told us.Butsometimes it also feels like duty or pressure-people act like u gotta vote otherwise ur not doing your part-that kinda stress freaks me out.”
Craig Norris from CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition chatted w/ Grade 12 Challenges & Change students at St Benedict school in Cambridge (Kate Bueckert/CBC)CBC Kitchener-Waterloo wants your thoughts on top issues ahead of Ontario’s June 2 provincial election – fill out form below! If you’re open talking w/ reporters or joining voter panels on air please leave your contact details.
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