Alexis Caffin from Chelsea, Que., turned 18 just some weeks in the past — excellent timing for his first vote.
However fairly than head to a close-by polling station to solid his poll within the Canadian federal election, Caffin will vote on the Canadian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
That is as a result of he is been travelling the North Atlantic on a tall ship.
“I am excited to have the ability to have the power to vote and have an effect on the way forward for Canada,” says Caffin.
Becoming a member of him in pleasure is fellow first-time voter Linnaea O’Brien of Halifax.
“I am completely satisfied to have the ability to lastly have a voice,” says O’Brien.
Caffin and O’Brien simply completed a six-month academic crusing expedition.
Class Afloat-West Island College International is a tutorial program based mostly in Lunenburg, N.S., for college kids ages 16-19 from the world over. This system is accredited by means of the Nova Scotia Division of Training and Early Childhood Growth.
Faculty began in September with a portion of land-based journey in Germany and the Netherlands. The Alexander von Humboldt II set sail from Germany in October. It returned to Germany after six months and the scholars are ending the final couple of months of this system again on land.
The vessel was in Portugal when the Canadian election was known as.
It was then that Brychan Williams, the ship’s social research instructor, stepped in to information Canadian college students by means of the voter registration course of.
Civic obligation
He stated it’s the college students’ civic obligation to vote. “You have to do what you are able to do in any state of affairs, even for those who’re on the opposite aspect of the ocean.”
Nonetheless, with no web entry at sea, staying alert on politics might be difficult, says Williams.
“We’re so disconnected for almost all of the 12 months we have been dwelling on this ship. Issues just like the tariffs and actually day-to-day life again in Canada is sort of on the again burner for us.”
For Ottawa’s Emma Visser, being away from house — and with out web entry — can truly be a bonus. She says it is given her area to develop her views extra independently.
“I really feel like in relation to social media, it tends to point out you what you need,” says the 18-year-old Visser. “With the ability to type my very own opinion on every part has been very helpful, however it’s been just a little scary. However I am excited. I am excited to vote.”
Visser and Caffin have additionally been diving into their very own analysis by catching up on the information or checking in with their households again house and speaking politics. Caffin is ensuring he units time apart to look at final week’s debates earlier than voting.
“I need to ensure that I am 100 per cent assured,” says Caffin.
A dozen college students and 4 school will solid their ballots Tuesday.
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