Canadian senator calls for lowering voting age to 16-years-old after UK does so

A Canadian senator has called on the federal government to lower the voting age to 16, following a decision by the United Kingdom to adopt the change ahead of its next general election.

Senator Marilou McPhedran, who has long championed youth enfranchisement, said the move in the UK underscores the urgency for Canada to follow suit. “This has been my top parliamentary priority since I joined the Senate,” she said.

McPhedran argued that most objections to the change are rooted in “stereotypes,” and that younger Canadians deserve a voice in decisions that will affect their future, according to Global News.

The UK government announced last week its plan to reduce the national voting age from 18 to 16, a measure intended to improve democratic engagement and rebuild public trust.

McPhedran said Canada should not lag behind other democracies in expanding the franchise to younger citizens. “It’s about fairness,” she said, noting that a significant number of 16-year-olds already work and pay taxes.

Jaden Braves, 16, founder of Young Politicians of Canada, naturally agreed: “I think we need to stop being the country that waits for somebody else to take leadership."

"Hopefully we’ll learn some lessons soon.” 

McPhedran’s most recent attempt to introduce legislation on the issue came in May, with a bill that she hopes will make it to committee stage when Parliament reconvenes in the fall.

Her previous effort was halted after Parliament was prorogued ahead of an election. “But this time our push is to ensure that young voices, young leaders are heard directly by senators,” she said.

Some doubt claims that the change would lead to higher turnout. However, McPhedran says the example set by the UK could help shift opinions in Canada’s upper chamber.

Canada last lowered its voting age in 1970, moving from 21 to 18. Other countries that allow 16-year-olds to vote include Austria, Brazil, and Ecuador. In the UK, Scotland and Wales already permit 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in regional and local elections.