Why successful governments must embrace youth

At a recent Forum for Young Canadians event in Ottawa, I was reminded of a simple fact: even with over 200 Members of Parliament and young Canadians in attendance, there is still no consensus of which political party youth should support – if any at all.

But what does unite them, whether left or right, is a set of new expectations about how their government should operate.

While all leaders go to Ottawa to fulfill their ideological visions, the most successful embody the norms and beliefs of the next generation – regardless of their party stripe. This ensures that even with vehement disagreement, Canada’s most important demographic will not detach from civic life.

Forum is unique. The flagship program of the Foundation for the Study of Processes of Government is a week of workshops, tours, and simulations, which has allowed thousands of students from coast-to-coast to travel to the capital region in a show of commitment to their citizenship and our country. Forum is non-partisan, affordable and bilingual, ensuring each session is a true reflection of Canada and its diversity.

In 2015, it was Forum alumni who rewarded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a majority government. They did so only in part due to his promises, but mostly because he reflected their unique perspective. This includes less partisanship, more openness and transparency, and an understanding of which policy issues are no longer up for debate.

After assuming power, the Prime Minister substantiated his embrace of young Canadians by assigning the Youth portfolio to himself. Additionally, he created a Youth Council to advise on a variety of national issues. Although with Trudeau himself being just 45 years old – the teenager of the Prime Minister’s club – he doesn’t need to surround himself with youth when, relatively, he is one.

The Conservative Party is ready to evolve. Their leadership front-runner, Kevin O’Leary, has set his focus squarely on 18 to 35 year-olds by declaring an objective of his campaign to convince his own children to vote for him. The 62-year-old candidate, known as a reality television show host with strong opinions, is appealing to youth by utilizing social media and accepting policy positions that have long been settled in millennial minds, including the legalization of cannabis, the advancement of gay and “transvestite” rights, and support for assisted suicide.

Misalignment between decision-makers and their constituents breeds cynicism and with a disengaged electorate we are all worse off. Successful governments must grasp the essence of the next generation, not by pandering to their political leanings but by embracing their perspectives, for the sake of Canada.

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Max Stern joined NATIONAL Public Relations’ Toronto office after serving as a Communications Assistant in the Liberal Party of Canada’s war room during the 2015 general elections.