Persisting Through Challenges: The Upsides of Perseverance

In a bid to inspire the next generation to shape the future of societies, the mayor of Longueuil recently organised a meeting with young adults to discuss the growing disconnect between young people and politics. This initiative was spurred by Catherine Fournier, a politician who has made it her mission to engage young adults in the political process.

Fournier, who was elected to the National Assembly at the tender age of 24 in 2016, making her the youngest woman in history to sit there, has published a book titled "Taming Politics" aimed at young adults. The book is set to hit stores starting September 10.

According to polls, young people participate less in politics than older generations, and Fournier believes that this disengagement is a cause for concern, especially in light of crucial issues like the environment. She encourages young people to get involved in politics as a means to combat their anxiety about these issues and ensure their voices are heard.

Fournier's message resonated with the students at the meeting, who found her initiative inspiring, encouraging, and hopeful. Maïka Guérin, a student, felt that earlier introduction to politics could have motivated her more, while Ariel Goudreau is considering the idea of running for office to "challenge" the current political landscape.

However, not everyone is convinced. Alexia Lehouillier-Berthiaume feels unrepresented and less eager to get involved in politics due to the lack of resonance with her values. She also expresses concern about the lifestyle and workload of elected officials, a sentiment shared by Amielle Ste-Marie Beauchamp.

Despite these concerns, Fournier remains steadfast in her belief that more young people in politics are necessary to prevent blind spots on societal issues. She advocates for earlier education about politics and government in Quebec schools, a stance that has been supported by Fournier herself.

The lack of representation of young adults in politics is evident, with the average age of parliamentarians in the National Assembly being 51 years old in 2022, and the Parliament in Ottawa being composed of 70% men, and 86% of parliamentarians over 40 years old, according to data from 2024.

One student expressed interest in volunteering for upcoming elections, while Alexia Lehouillier-Berthiaume, inspired by Fournier's impact on issues like the environment, is considering running for office. A new generation of politically engaged young adults may soon be on the horizon, ready to make a difference.