Justin Trudeau’s Liberal leadership bid has dominated coverage of Canadian politics all week. His recent announcement has been met with everything from praise to outright disapproval. While some have extolled his idealism, others have criticised his lack of specific policy points. Many have warned him to clearly separate himself from the legacy of his father, or risk running a stylized campaign based on little substance. Supporters are pleased by his success with certain segments of the electorate, especially the traditionally elusive young voting block, with whom he is immensely popular. What Trudeau could do for young Canadians, though, extends far beyond courting their vote. For the first time in many years, we have a candidate on the national stage who is not most known for his economic prowess or environmental advocacy, but for his commitment to education and youth issues.
It’s still early in the leadership race—the convention is not until next April. While we are in no position to endorse a specific candidate, we find Trudeau’s background brings a welcome change to federal politics, which rarely feature education or youth involvement as key issues.
Trudeau has been a supporter of post-secondary students and young Canadians long before his foray into national politics. Unlike certain provincial leaders closer to home, whose commitment to students and their tuition struggle appear to have been politically motivated, Trudeau has not only stood on the side of students when it was convenient, but has devoted much of his adult life to that cause. After the Liberals’ defeat in 2006, he chaired a task force to learn how the party could best address the issues that mattered most to young people. As a Member of Parliament, he has been the party’s Critic for Youth, Citizenship and Immigration since 2010, and was Critic for Multiculturalism and Youth in 2009.
[pullquote]For the first time in many years, we have a candidate on the national stage most known for his commitment to education and youth issues.[/pullquote]
An educator himself—he holds a Bachelor of Education and taught high school in British Columbia for five years—Trudeau has always endeavoured to include the youth voice in decisions about Canada’s future. In November 2009, he brought forward a private member’s bill—the first of that session of Parliament—calling for a “national voluntary service policy for young people.”
Before he became a Member of Parliament, Trudeau was chair of Katimavik, Canada’s National Youth Service program. The popular volunteer experience was axed by the Harper government in the 2012 budget. Many alumni of the six-month program—which builds leadership, encourages volunteerism, and educates about different cultural identities—refer to it as a life-changing experience. In light of a dizzying array of cuts to social programs, a candidate who brings a discussion of the importance of youth programs to the forefront is beyond valuable.
A young caller on CBC’s radio talk show, Cross Country Checkup, noted that: “Many politicians think about young people as the leaders of tomorrow, but Trudeau speaks to us like we’re the leaders of today.”
That distinction couldn’t be more important for young Canadians. Regardless of how Trudeau fares in the leadership contest, his candidacy will bring the importance of education to centre stage in a political climate currently dominated by the economy. At the same time, his persona, youthfulness, and popularity among voters under 30 will spur youth involvement in politics. Both are, undeniably, good things for the future of our country.
