> Green Party leader makes third attempt to lower voting age Jake Wray News Editor o you think 16-year-olds are mature enough to vote? Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver does. He introduced a private member's bill in the legislature March 13 that would lower BC’s voting age to 16. This is Weaver’s third attempt to lower the voting age, according to CBC News. Weaver said lowering the voting age will increase voter engagement among young British Columbians. “I believe, and a growing number of nations across the world believe, that it’s important to engage youth in our democracy precisely at a time when they are learning about it in schools,” Weaver told CBC News. “And we know that if you vote in your first election, you are more than likely to become a lifelong voter.” Increasing youth voter engagement is crucial, Weaver said, because youth issues tend to be neglected as politicians focus their attention on older voters. “When we look at election campaigns right now most people typically campaign to the demographic they know that will vote. Which is the 65-to-74 [age group], 75 per cent of them turn out,” he told CBC News. “That’s why we hear election campaign promises to reduce hip and knee replacement lineups frankly because it’s targeting a demographic.” Premier John Horgan said he is open to the idea of lowering the voting age, according to CBC News. “If you start voting as soon as you can, you will probably vote for life,” he said. “If you put it off and put it off and put it off, you might never get into a voting booth, so I’m going to look at Mr. Weaver’s proposal and talk to the house leader and see if it fits.” Anastasia Gaisenok, executive director of Check Your Head: The Global Youth Education Network, said in an interview on CBC’s The Early Edition that lowering the voting age could significantly change BC politics. “Tt will change the political landscape over time,” she said. “I think this will encourage more young people to run for office and vote for politicians who represent their needs and perspectives.” She said she believes 16 and 17-year-olds would embrace the right to vote, if they received it. “Given the opportunity, [they] participate and express their opinions and are prepared to take action on them,” she said. Scotland, Brazil, Argentina, and Austria all have a voting age of 16. Elections Canada Photo by Analyn Cuarto City of New Westminster to consult with residents on cannabis rules > City responsible for retail regulations Colten Kamlade Staff Reporter N“. Westminster, like many other cities in BC, is working to put in place the necessary bylaws to regulate the sale and use of cannabis as the Trudeau government strives to have recreational use of cannabis legalized by July. A regulatory framework recently announced by BC’s NDP government already outlines many of the cannabis restrictions that will be enforced. Despite the provincial regulations, New Westminster still has many decisions to make as to how they will proceed. Some questions regarding cannabis sales, non-medical cannabis production facilities, business licensing regulating, public consumption, and personal cultivation are yet to be answered. In response to this, the City of New Westminster is planning to hold consultations so the public can have their say in how cannabis is regulated in their city. Jonathan Coté, mayor of New Westminster, outlined the kind of responsibilities the city was being given and the kind of solutions that are being considered. “The main responsibility being delegated to municipalities when it comes to cannabis legalization is how retail will be regulated,” he said in an email interview with the Other Press. “At this point, it looks like the City will be proposing regulating cannabis retail in a very similar fashion that the City regulates private liquor stores.” The exact dates of the public consultation have yet to be finalized, according to Coté. “The City is planning on conducting public engagement on this topic in the spring and I believe a town hall meeting is being scheduled in May,” he said. When asked for further details about the kind of public engagement the city was planning on conducting, Coté did not elaborate. The federal government planned to legalize cannabis by July of this year, but their cannabis legislation is currently tied up in the senate chamber. It’s unclear whether the Liberal government will meet their July legalization deadline. According to the Province of British Columbia website, the minimum age for cannabis possession in BC will be 19, as is consistent with tobacco and alcohol laws. Adults will be able to carry a maximum of 30 grams of non-medical marijuana in public, and they will be able to use the substance in most of the Photo by Analyn Cuarto same areas as tobacco smokers. Cannabis use, however, will be prohibited in areas that children frequent, such as parks, playgrounds, and community beaches. Those who are interested in cultivating cannabis for themselves will be allowed to grow up to four plants. To ensure that businesses selling cannabis don’t pop up in the city before the drug is officially legalized, New Westminster has approved a zoning amendment bylaw to clarify that the drug is currently illegal to sell.