Ontario students host province-wide Day of Action to bring student issues to the ballot box

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - On college and university campuses across the province, Ontario's post-secondary students are hosting events and actions aimed at making student issues election issues for voters and parties while also encouraging their peers to cast a ballot on October 19 or in advanced polls. This Day of Action coincides with a nation-wide push to get students to the polls with special polls open on some campuses across the country.

"The perception that students aren't interested or engaged in politics is an offensive myth," said Rajean Hoilett, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Students are incredibly active around issues that matter to them, but political parties have failed to capitalize on that enthusiasm by dismissing our concerns and ignoring our suggestions."

Students are looking for political parties and candidates to take bold stances to tackle rising tuition fees, alleviate ballooning student debt loads, create more job opportunities for young people, honour our commitments to Aboriginal communities to fully fund post-secondary education and be proactive in building consent culture on campuses.

After extensive lobbying from the Federation, special on-campus polls have been set up at some institutions this week as part of a pilot project by Elections Canada which will allow students to cast a ballot for their chosen riding, even if it is off-campus.

"Students have the numbers and the power to decide this election," said Gabrielle Ross-Marquette, National Executive Representative for the Federation. "With special on-campus polling, it has never been easier to get students to the polls and make our voices heard loud and clear."

Students will be continuing to encourage voting through special on-campus polling, advance polls and on Election Day.  

The Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario unites more than 350,000 college and university students in all regions of the province.

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Students

Rajean Hoilett, Chairperson, 289-923-3534 (cellphone) or [email protected]; Gabrielle Ross-Marquette (francophone), National Executive Representative, 647-918-9864 (cellphone) or [email protected]; Alastair Woods, Government & Media Relations Coordinator, 647-378-8942 (cellphone) or [email protected]