Seventeen-year-old Samuel Robson isn香蕉视频直播檛 waiting to vote before making his voice heard.
The Mount Boucherie Secondary student from West Kelowna says he got into politics because he香蕉视频直播檚 worried about the future香蕉视频直播攈is, his brother香蕉视频直播檚, and his peers香蕉视频直播�. His growing concerns about affordability, safety, and youth engagement have spurred him to action.
香蕉视频直播淚 can't really sit around and just do nothing,香蕉视频直播� Robson said in an interview with Black Press Media. 香蕉视频直播淚 would consider myself a doer.香蕉视频直播�
He pointed to high taxes on the middle class and small businesses, soaring deficits, and a tough job and housing market that are creating serious challenges for young people in B.C. Robson also raised concerns about public safety and the social effects of the province香蕉视频直播檚 drug policies.
香蕉视频直播淭here are violent criminals who are getting out on bail, sex offenders, abusers, and violent people. They香蕉视频直播檙e not being convicted,香蕉视频直播� he added. 香蕉视频直播淭he drug decriminalization in B.C. is making our streets less safe and it allows an unhealthy lifestyle.香蕉视频直播�
Another major issue that pushed him to get involved, he said, is the rise in anti-Semitism.
香蕉视频直播淚 see this growing anti-Semitism movement, the pro-Hamas and intifada agendas. I can't really just stand and allow that to be in Canada.香蕉视频直播�
Robson volunteered for two campaigns in the 2024 provincial election, by going door-to-door and encouraging voter turnout. While some people didn香蕉视频直播檛 take him seriously because of his age, many were encouraged by his efforts.
香蕉视频直播淲hether they agreed or not, they said good job for getting out and getting involved,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I still got sworn at a few times.香蕉视频直播�
Robson said he found that others are also worried about their futures.
香蕉视频直播淭alking with not just my friends, not just my family, other kids at school as well, lots of people are concerned.香蕉视频直播�
Now he香蕉视频直播檚 organizing his own political event, aimed at inspiring more youth to get involved.
Y at Kelowna Gospel Fellowship Church (3714 Gordon Drive). Doors open at 5 p.m. The event is open to youth aged 15 to 25 from across the Okanagan.
Speakers include local MLAs Gavin Dew, Kristina Loewen, and Macklin McCall. There will also be free pizza, pop and water.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檒l just be a nice social event, kind of get the youth able to network with each other,香蕉视频直播� Robson said. 香蕉视频直播淎lso to start getting involved, whether that香蕉视频直播檚 just going to an event, meeting their elected officials, or volunteering.香蕉视频直播�
Robson said the MLAs were quick to support the event.
香蕉视频直播淭hey responded right away, they all said yes,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey see this is a growing movement.香蕉视频直播�
He believes young voices are often missing from political conversations, and believes that silence has consequences.
香蕉视频直播淲ith fewer and fewer people speaking up and taking action, I feel like fewer and fewer voices are really being heard,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 very harmful, especially to our youth.香蕉视频直播�
As for the current state of politics in B.C., Robson said he is not impressed.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 very disappointed. We can really be a powerhouse where everybody has equal opportunity economically, and everybody can have a good living. But we香蕉视频直播檙e not at that point right now.香蕉视频直播�
He is also frustrated that, in his view, opposition voices aren香蕉视频直播檛 being heard.
香蕉视频直播淢y party didn香蕉视频直播檛 get in the last election,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I think what we heard from the B.C. Conservatives are that they were willing to work with the other MLAs. What you see with the current B.C. government is that they香蕉视频直播檙e not willing to work with the Conservative MLAs.香蕉视频直播�
Robson added that he香蕉视频直播檚 hopeful about what young people can achieve by being politically active, if they show up.
香蕉视频直播淪tand up for what you think is right. Fight for your future. Fight for others香蕉视频直播� futures. Stand up and be the change.香蕉视频直播�
