Editor: During the past federal election, I gave myself a challenge, to register as many schools in the 91原创 district as I could into the Student Vote program. Student Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, which aims to build the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in their democracy.

I had two weeks to complete the challenge and I was thrilled with the response, seeing double the amount of schools participating, when compared to the previous provincial election. Almost 50 per cent of our 91原创 schools participated.

The feedback from the program was amazing and I know each school, teacher and parent involved are becoming advocates for this program, just as I did.

I was disappointed to find out that the program will not be up and running here in B.C. for this year鈥檚 municipal election, as it doesn鈥檛 have the necessary funding.

So my hope is that we as parents can support our teachers and our schools, and help fill the role that the Student Vote program played in the past federal election. I hope we can continue the conversation, which Student Vote started, so that we may encourage and demonstrate to our youth the value of participation in democracy.

I was able to see firsthand the power of including my oldest daughter in the process, during this past federal election. The insightful conversations and genuine interest from her on topics, that beforehand I wasn鈥檛 really even sure she understood, was all taking place because of the Student Vote program. This made the value of the program so clear to me, and left me even more committed to the cause.

So my hope is, during the upcoming weeks before our municipal election, you find yourself having one of those moments with your child.

They are the kind of moments which leave you feeling amazed and proud. You discover that they get it, they really get it. They understand that each of us has a voice and each of us can make a difference.

That is the power of democracy.

Michelle Sparrow,

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