CHIP 101.9 discusses election participation with UMQ president

CHIP 101.9 discusses election participation with UMQ president

The Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) wants to encourage the population and especially young people to exercise their right to vote for the election which will take place this Sunday, November 7.

The demographic weight of young people aged 18 to 35 is significant, as they represent 27.7% of voters. For the UMQ, it is necessary that this segment of the population be heard, since the decisions made by their municipality have an impact on them just as much as other age groups. However, young people vote little. For example, during the 2017 municipal elections in Montreal, 24.6% of 18 to 25 year-olds voted. For 26 to 35 year-olds, the rate is only slightly higher, at 32.1%.

“Some studies tell us that young people are less interested in politics and do not see voting as a duty. However, all areas of intervention of municipalities have direct and concrete impacts on the quality of life of young people! It is therefore important that they take advantage of their right to vote … It is important for the vitality of our democracy and, above all, for the next generation,” said UMQ President and mayor of Gaspé Daniel Côté (translated).

The UMQ also launched a short video with comedian Rosalie Vaillancourt, available on her Facebook page, to encourage young people to vote in the municipal elections on November 7. This initiative is part of the UMQ campaign themed “In the municipal elections, I vote!”, launched in mid-October with the financial support of the Secrétariat à la jeunesse to increase the participation rate of young people aged 18 to 35 in municipal elections.

The full (French-language) interview with Côté, is available here.