With debate swirling in B.C. around whether or not to lower the voting age to 16, a Claremont Secondary Student is speaking out in favour of the move.
Myrika McDonald is in grade 12 and just turned 17. She wrote a letter to the editor saying age does not determine a person's ability to reason, or understand current events and economic development.
" I've debated with people my age, with people older, and from debating I've noticed that age doesn't affect one's mental ability to debate and understand and have their own opinion. And because news is everywhere, it's all around social media, it doesn't matter what age you are to understand and to further develop your understanding of it. "
Speaking on CFAX this morning McDonald was asked what she would say to those who argue not all 16 year olds are capable of voting:
" This is not an age challenge, rather than a focus challenge. And there are people my age that may not be capable of voting, but there are also people older than 18 who are not capable as well."
McDonald argues her generation is already working and taking on responsibilities, and want the right to participate in the voting process.