Building Better Citizens

The Mark Radio ep.22: Three conversations with people trying to convince Canadians to care about the government.

In 2008, only 58.8 per cent of eligible Canadians voted in the federal election- the lowest number in Canadian history. Voter turnout has been steadily declining since 1993, and chief among absentees is the youth vote. Generation Y participates less than their parents did at the same age.

So what's wrong with the kids these days? A clichéd sentiment that has echoed across every adult's lips for eons, or a cause for real concern, when kids are more interested in the next American Idol than the next Canadian prime minister?

And if the kids are not, in fact, all right, is it their own fault? Or have they been failed by their parents, their government, their education system, and even society itself?

On the show this week, three conversations with people trying to convince Canadians to care about the government.

First up, Peter Loewen, assistant professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, who specializes in Canadian politics and political behaviour on the past, present, and future of civic participation.

Taylor Gunn, founder of Student Vote, on why the best way to learn to be a citizen is practice, practice, practice.

And finally, Alison Loat, Executive Director of Samara, on what we can learn about leadership by studying political leaders.

(Run-time: 28 minutes.)

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