If it was up to grade school students, the Green Party's Iain Currie not the Conservative's Cathy McLeod would have been elected in Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo on Election Day.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

All across Canada, grade school students cast their ballots in a mock election. The candidates for the ridings remained the same, and although their votes may not count yet, the message has been sent out about what the younger generation hopes to see.

In Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, elementary and high school students elected Iain Currie from the Green Party of Canada rather than Conservative Cathy McLeod who was re-elected on Election Day.

Currie says he feels humbled and grateful for the support he received in the actual election, as well as the student election.

“It was a total team effort and seeing the support that came in makes me hopeful for the future, especially with the student vote,” Currie says. “Our message from the start was that we need to address the climate crisis for the future generations, not as much for the people who are voting in this election because many of us are at the age where we probably won’t see the list of the impacts of the climate crises.”

The students voting in the mock election in B.C. elected Greens in eight ridings voting Green, the NDP in 25 and the Conservatives in nine.

Students in 22 of the 42 ridings in B.C. chose a different MP than the ones actually elected, which could mean a shift is coming once the younger voters come of age.

Currie believes their voices have already been heard through the student elections and hopes the government will recognize a need to adapt to meet the needs and wants of the youth.

“Hopefully the vote across the country and the overall success of the Green Party will... encourage all of the parties to be more attentive, Currie says. “The student vote will encourage all of the parties to maybe reconsider the positions that they’ve taken so far.”

Currie says he was expecting a better turnout during the election but is happy to see the youth voting Green in the riding, and encourages them to stick to voting for their own beliefs.

“If they think there is a disconnect between what they want and what they get in their government, then they should remember that when they’re voting,” Currie says. “I hope the students remember when they are in a position to vote how it feels to have your voice not heard... hopefully, it encourages them to continue to vote for the things they care about rather than against something.”

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