Youth
CAN
Youth CAN is the youth
branch of the Hamilton Community Action Network. It was formed because
members of CAN recognized a need to produce special programming directed
at young people to encourage active and informed citizenship.
Voting records demonstrate that young people (age 18 to 25) are the least
likely of any age category to vote. In order to address this issue Youth
CAN developed a program modelled on the national "Student Vote"
program to promote youth engagement in municipal politics. Our program,
entitled "Youth Vote", involves a number of strategies:
1. A curriculum document for high school civics and politics teachers to use to teach students about municipal politics.
2. A mock election, held in the high schools, just prior to the municipal election.
3. All-candidates debates in the high schools, organized by members of Youth CAN.
4. A letter writing
competition, sponsored by the OSSTF District 21.
Political Action Committee: Students are to write letters to the
editors of local Hamilton newspapers regarding issues relevant to the
municipal election. Published letters will be eligible to win cash prizes.
Youth CAN Executive:
Cathy Birch, Chair
Kevin Bacon
Molly Cramer
Julianna Lachance
Youth CAN Class Materials:
1. Government ResponsibilitiesElections
Operations Manual
Last
Name Voting Signs
The Youth Vote project is sponsored by the Hamilton Community Foundation,
OSSTF District 21 Political Action Committee and the Hamilton Community
Action Network.
