BC students challenge Unfair Elections Act
VANCOUVER, March 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Students across British Columbia are taking action by educating their peers and the general public about the dangers of Bill C-23, signing petitions, and contacting Conservative Members of Parliament.
The Canadian Federation of Students, the Council of Canadians, and LeadNow.ca are joining forces to organize Let People Vote! on Tuesday, March 25, a National Day of Action to stop the Unfair Elections Act.
"The Unfair Elections Act will threaten over a hundred thousand Canadians' access to their ballots, especially students and young Canadians," Says Jenelle Davies, CFS BC chairperson, "BC students are united with Canadians across the country to defend their right to vote."
Elections Canada has identified a number of projects that have the potential to increase youth voter turnout, including polling stations on campus, the use of voter information cards and campaigns targeting youth. Bill C-23 would force Elections Canada to scrap all of that work and reverse their progress by making it even harder for youth to vote.
"In the face of overwhelming issues facing students and an already low youth voter turnout this move to suppress votes is extremely troubling," added Davies. "The federal government is confirming that issues that matter to youth are not their priority, and neither are our votes."
To date over 80,000 petitions have been collected, rejecting Bill C-23 and calling for free and fair elections. Local actions will take place at conservative MPs offices across the province at noon today in an effort to stop the government's plan to make US-style voter suppression a part of Canadian law.
The Canadian Federation of Students-British Columbia is composed of post-secondary students from 15 universities and colleges in every region in BC. The Federation and its predecessor organisations have represented students in Canada since 1927.
SOURCE: Canadian Federation of Students- British Columbia
please contact:
Jenelle Davies, British Columbia Chairperson, (604) 733-1880, [email protected]
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