Hey politicians! Here's some free advice on getting young people (and others) to vote

The last election in Newfoundland and Labrador had a dubious distinction. Just 55.2 per cent of those who were eligible to vote bothered to mark an X.

I hope I'm wrong, but I fear the May 16 election will set a new record, and that turnout will be even lower.

It doesn't have to be this way.

I'm from Prince Edward Island and I'm always most proud of this fact after every election. For a tiny province, we pack a punch, and I've learned a few things that could be useful for politicians fighting in this campaign.

P.E.I. was the first province in Canada to elect a female premier, not to mention a premier of non-European descent.

Last week, we elected the first-ever Green Party opposition. For me, the story isn't about how Islanders are able to adapt to change, think outside of a two-party system, or take real action in the fight against climate change.

The real story is that 76 per cent of the population voted.

This didn't happen by accident

The voter turnout in P.E.I. is the highest in the country. Even more significantly, youth of Prince Edward Island are politically engaged. For years, a non-partisan group created by young people called Young Voters of P.E.I. held events that encouraged milllennials to become engaged with politics.

This group held an open house at a record store and all the leaders attended and young people were encouraged to ask questions. Election result parties were held at micro-breweries, and debates happened on campus.

Here is where I admit my bias: my sister, Sarah Bulman, and her friend Jessie Hitchcock founded Young Voters of P.E.I.. I am very proud. I believe they created real change. Both girls have left the island for work and school, but election viewing parties and on-campus debates continue to happen around P.E.I..

Some credit must be given to the political leaders themselves. The politicians there encourage youth engagement. During this last election, party leaders gathered at the university and discussed gender-neutral washrooms, climate change, and creating job opportunities for new graduates.

Newfoundland and Labrador is in the midst of an election campaign. This province, my adopted home, had the lowest voter turnout in the country during the last provincial election.

Millennials here are not actively engaged with provincial politics and the blame lies squarely with the politicians. Seemingly, the parties are actively avoiding young people.

Where are you most likely to see a politician these days? I noted that the Liberals have been visiting seniors' homes. Sure, residents there are important and likely to vote, but I haven't been noticing the hard work to find voters at the beginning of their careers

On the campaign trail, climate change has barely been mentioned, and issues of student loans and tuition fees have been politely ignored.

If politicians in Newfoundland want to get young people out to vote (and I'm starting to think they don't), they'll need to do the following things:

Take climate change seriously

Climate change is a titanic issue that young people will inherit. Last summer in Montreal, more than 70 heat-related deaths were reported, British Columbia experienced its most intense fire season on record, and the Atlantic Canadian provinces saw a major increase in serious weather events.

Scientists are also linking the latest floods in New Brunswick, Ottawa and Montreal to climate change.

Now is the time to right the ship, but the new provincial Liberal election platform makes no mention of slashing carbon emissions, though it does contain buzzwords like "sustainability." However, there is no mention of the crisis that's already happening.

This is because the party wants to invest more time and money into the non-renewable oil and gas industries.

Young people are reluctant to vote for a party flagrantly avoiding an issue that will directly impact their future.

Meet youth on their own turf

The political parties here (so far) are following their usual campaign strategies and are not venturing outside the box.

But, if the parties held an open house at, say, a local brewery or hosted a debate on campus, young voters might get an opportunity to voice their concerns.

Also, many candidates lack true presence on social media.

Oh sure, the parties are online, but the voices of many candidates are often out of touch and lack humour, humanity or authenticity. (I'm not sure about a new PC social media campaign, seen below, which is indeed different, but has a nasty tone.)

Perhaps it's time for the parties to try some new campaign strategies.

A little civility, please

P.E.I. made political headlines once again following the election because the Conservative leader and the leader of the new opposition shared a hug.

Similarly, the parties held a very polite debate during which PC Leader Dennis King and Green Party Leader Peter Bevan Baker agreed and supported each other on a number of issues. This spirit of collaboration inspired genuine hope in Islanders — or at least in this Islander. These parties might work together to make the province stronger.

Nobody is genuinely attracted to the low road, but N.L. PC Leader Ches Crosbie announced he would reveal the "truth" behind the new Canopy Growth facility. As well, the parties are rolling out ads that sometimes feel like smear campaigns on their rivals. 

There has been no sense of collaboration or civility here. Even the NDP has been conducting some very public in-fighting that distracts from platforms and promises.

A little kindness and humanity in an election goes a long way towards attracting voters.

Unfortunately, this "surprise" last-minute election does not speak to the youth of this province. The campaign promises of oil jobs, support of aquaculture and more money for business are promises aimed at the older middle class.

Younger people have other issues to worry about; they want progressive ideas, connection, equality, affordable education and climate change solutions.

Instead, it's "business as usual."

In this province, that can mean an embarrassingly low voter turnout.

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