Calgary students participate in election education initiative with Student Vote Canada

Students at Calgary's John G. Diefenbaker High School cast their ballots in a nationwide voting education initiative, learning about democracy and the process.

Most of the 1,400 students walking the halls at Calgary’s John G. Diefenbaker High School are still too young to vote in Monday’s federal election.

But on Friday, they made their voices heard in another way — participating in Student Vote Canada initiative.

“It’s good to be able to have a say in what happens, even if it’s just a little bit,” explained Alexander Manns, a Grade 12 student.

John G. Diefenbaker is one of more than 7,100 schools taking part in the event across Canada — where more than 800,000 students are expected to cast a ballot in what Student Vote Canada on its website calls an “experiential learning” opportunity.

The objective is to help students face the unknowns of the voting process and get more exposure to politics at a young age, according to teacher Bill Hilton.

“The kids have been having lots of conversations about it, so I know they’re interested,” he said.

“But not everybody is sure what to do, so the one thing we can do is make sure the party they’re voting for is going to be carrying out their wishes.”

Partway through the morning long vote on Friday, Hilton estimated roughly 1,000 students would fill out a ballot, which is about 70 per cent of the student body.