a, = = Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP Saanich-Gulf Islands boasts highest voter turnout in BC » May’s riding experiences near 80 per cent turnout Chandler Walter Humour Editor © humour@theotherpress.ca . 2008, the Vancouver Island riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands had a modest voter turnout of 70.40 per cent. This year’s election saw this number rise to 79.61 per cent, the highest in BC. This is due in part to the popularity of Green Party leader Elizabeth May, says political scientist David Moscrop. Regaining her seat with an impressive 55 per cent of the vote, it looks as though Elizabeth May was a key factor in convincing almost four-fifths of eligible voters in Saanich- Gulf Islands to participate in democracy this past October. Moscrop said that May’s popularity and status as a party leader was a probable factor in this rise in voter turnout, saying that May “has a deep base of support [in Saanich- Gulf Islands], and was likely to be the only Green MP, so there would have been some incentive to go and be a part : of that. Especially if you were : in support of the Greens.” Not only was it the : candidacy that influenced : the turn out, but the voters : themselves, said Moscrop. “It : could also be that in smaller, : tighter knit communities, where : : everyone knows everyone, : there’s some pressure to go and : to participate, because people : are talking about the election.” Nicole Aleman, a student at Aleman said that she was : not at all surprised that her : riding had the highest voter : turnout in BC this general : election. “Almost everyone in : the community seemed pretty : informed. It felt like the election : was brought up in almost every : conversation. The signs were on : just about every piece of land : that they legally could be.” Debra Eindiguer, Elizabeth : May’s Chief of Staff, also spoke : of the voters residing in the : Saanich-Gulf Island riding: : “You have an electorate that : is very informed, that stays : engaged, and doesn’t throw : their right to vote away.” Eindiguer said that it : was the combination of a : dedicated candidate (May) : and the democratically : involved riding that may have : been what filled ballot boxes : Camosun College and resident of : : Saanich, knows first-hand about : : feeling the responsibility to go : out and cast a ballot: “There was : definitely a sense of pressure. : Thad teachers, friends, family, : coworkers, etc. talking about : the importance to go vote.” on October 9-12 and 19. “Elizabeth has kept her : constituency very engaged : over the years,” Eindiguer : said. “She’s moving around : the ridings. She’s hitting all : the islands, she’s hitting all : the different corners of the : Saanich peninsula, making : sure that she’s accessible to her : constituency by being as close : to where they live as possible.” While Saanich-Gulf Islands : did not take the top spot in : Canada for voter turnout, they : still landed well above the : British Columbia average of : 70.36 per cent, which in turn : was still above the 2011 Canada : wide average of 61.4 per cent. Codecreate organized as tribute to Hour of Code » Event coordinators aim to increase student interest in computer sciences Mercedes Deutscher News Editor © news@theotherpress.ca ighthouse Labs, a Canadian coding school, announced on November 16 that will be hosting an event called Codecreate at their Vancouver campus, slated to take place on December 5. Codecreate was created as a tribute to the Hour of Code, a global campaign that aims to improve literacy in computer sciences. Hour of Code provides accessible free one-hour coding tutorials online, available in more than 40 different languages. Codecreate has four objectives. The first objective is to improve coding literacy, which it compares to the likes of literacy in math, or reading. The second objective is to improve pragmatic and systematic thinking, ina fashion that allows users to think in ways helpful to computer sciences. The third Image via thinkstock : objective is to help students : use coding to their creative : advantages. Ultimately, : the final objective aims to : encourage students to follow a : career in computer sciences. The Vancouver event : aims to introduce local : students into the world of : computer programming. “Whether it’s a program : that provides easy-to-follow driving directions or an : app that helps us track our : monthly spending, software : has become a significant part : of our lives,” said Sam Sullivan, : MLA for VancouverFalse : Creek, ina press release from : Lighthouse Labs. “Learning : how lines of code create the : digital world we rely on is a : fundamental skill that will : serve this generation of job : seekers well. I’m pleased : to see Vancouver's own : Lighthouse Labs hosting : this very important event.” The event will benefit 400 students, ranging from : ages 8-18, from Lower : Mainland school districts. THE OTHER PRESS IS HIRING A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Assistant. Got an eye for design? Want to develop your abilities in newspaper design and layout? 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