Cambridge high school students share what's on their minds ahead of Ontario election in June

For Maya Darcy, the environment is among her top issues as she contemplates who she will vote for in the upcoming Ontario election.

"I don't want the sun to burn the Earth," the recently turned 18-year-old student from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge said.

"Definitely environment, education, growing up, like for my kids — even when I'm older, things happening now are going to affect my kids and my grandkids."

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo recently visited the Grade 12 Challenges and Change in Society class at St. Benedict's that's taught by Cindy Penner. 

Students were asked about their top concerns before the June 2 election. Not all students chose to speak to CBC K-W, but those who did shared their top issues and talked about how they get their news.

Candice Rodricks, 18, echoed Darcy's concerns about the environment, and added that issues facing Indigenous communities are a top priority for her.

"Our generation is inheriting this world and we're inheriting this society ,and so I think it's really important that even though we're not full adults yet, the decisions that our government is making right now [are] going to affect our future," she said.

"I think it's really important to make sure you have a voice."

Mariana Jesus agreed. She turns 18 in May and has already had spirited political conversations around the table with her family.

"I'm a first-generation Canadian and I notice that even my grandparents who don't live in their home country, they'll still stay informed about what's going on … what the political state is. And I want that for myself because I kind of grew up with that and I want to stay informed," she said.

Education a top issue

Education was top of mind for some students, including 18-year-old Julia Renner. She said she and her classmates have felt the impact of remote learning, due to COVID-19, and noted there were teachers' strikes before the pandemic that disrupted her education as well.

"I'm a student now. I'm going to be a student for at least the next four years. I'm thinking I might go into teaching. So it's a big kind of aspect of my life."

She said she has a pretty good idea who she'll vote for in June.

"My political stance is very similar to that of my parents, really. So I've been pretty set on this in a while," Renner said.

Madeleine Eggleton, 18, said she's eager to cast her ballot.

"I think it's important for young people to vote. You know, we're, like, the future," she said with a bit of a laugh before becoming serious about her top issue.

"My biggest concern is probably education and making sure that I get a good post-secondary education," she said. 

"I just want to make sure that my university experience is authentic and that I learn to my maximum potential."

Sources of information

When asked where they get their information about politicians and their promises, the students said it's often through social media apps like TikTok or Instagram, but also their friends, parents and news media.

Rebecca Reeve, 17, said she sometimes watches the news with her parents.

"I try to stay informed. I feel like a lot of it is really confusing," she said. "I do find it a little overwhelming because there's just so much to take in. And I feel like it's all thrown at you at once."

Her friend, 18-year-old Tara Lade, said she considers herself to be "fairly politically active" and in the know.

"I do try to keep myself informed and I have opinions," Lade said. "I think that it's a privilege to be able to vote and I really want to utilize that. I come from a family that really encourages me to vote and has been encouraging me to vote for a few years now."

Students excited, nervous to vote

Morgan Barillari, 17, said she's excited for her chance to eventually cast a ballot. 

"I'm excited to turn 18 because I'm kind of excited to vote. I think the reason why is because I want to start to learn more about politics."

That's partly because she says she's passionate about how victims of sexual assault are treated, but it's an issue she feels is largely ignored.

"I feel like the government doesn't pay enough attention to how to care [for victims of] sexual assault, like therapy. And I feel like they should pay more attention to that."

For Cadee Wilson, who turns 18 next month, understanding politics has been important to her in navigating a recent relationship where her boyfriend held more conservative and traditional values than she did.

"I felt the need that I had to push my opinion a bit because I find sometimes people are more biased toward their political opinions," she said.

"I feel like we need to have the opportunity where we're welcome to share our own political opinions with everybody freely and also kind of have a choice, which is why I think voting is really important."

Kelsey Taillon, 18, said she believes she's made up her mind on how she'll vote, but still wants to learn more about the various parties and candidates.

"I want to make sure I'm making an informed vote in the right decision. Like, 100 per cent sure before I go and vote. And sometimes I think things can change right before I make the vote," she said.

Ava Castro won't be able to vote in June, but will be 18 in time for October's municipal election. She admitted feeling stressed about the idea of voting.

"Of course I would like to be more educated and know more for when I do vote, and voting excites me as it seems like a coming-of-age accomplishment," she said.

"But at the same time. it feels like an obligation. Even though you don't have to [vote], it feels like people are saying you have to or else you're not giving to our society and you're not giving to our country and that makes me, like, really nervous."

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo wants to hear from you about your top concerns in the provincial election on June 2. Please fill out the form below. If you are willing to be contacted by a reporter, or to be on a voter panel on the radio, please leave your contact information.