In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

NDP party in need of new leader

() (globeandmail) The New Democratic Party of Canada's most recent leadership debate in Halifax has students wondering if they will be represented adequately by the new party leader, whoever that may be. Of the eight candidates only two have touched directly on the issue of education and the rising cost of tuition in Canada. With the death of Jack Layton, the NDP faces a disintegration of their image. While the public rallied around Layton for years culminating in his leading of the NDP to official opposition status in 2011, a recent poll indicates that 40 per-cent of Canadians haven't heard of any of the new candidates. The youth vote is largely unexploited with less than 50 per-cent of Canadians aged 18-24 actually exercising their rights. The Liberal party's recent proposition to legalize Marijuana has been seen by many as a grab at the youth vote. If the NDP expect to take on the Conservatives in four years they need to appeal to everyone they can. Without a recognizable leader and perhaps more importantly without the youth vote this could prove difficult for Canada's most left leaning party.

1.

The Official NDP Countdown to the 2012 Leadership Convention

NDP official site
This is the NDP's official website and countdown to the 2012 leadership decision. The party lists biographical information on each of the eight candidates for election as well as information on how to register to vote as a party member. The website contains a list of events and important dates on the way to the final convention in Toronto on March 24^th, 2012. From the webpage anyone interested can submit debate questions, apply to volunteer on the campaign and help with fundraising.

2.

A Group Apart: Young Party Members in Canada (2007)

Youth in Canadian politics
This paper concerns the involvement of youth in Canadian politics. The authors assert that this trend could see a decrease in party membership, furthering the gap between the electorate and the government itself. The paper deconstructs the relationship between young registered members of Canadian political parties and their politically involved (but not party based) counterparts on University and College campuses around the country.

3.

The Canadian Federation of Students

Candian Federation for Students
The official website of the Canadian Federation of students contains information on the growing problem of student debt and high tuition fees. The Federation concerns itself with students rights on a national level. The Federation attempts to organize student unions across the country into a cohesive unit that can affect federal policies regarding education. The federation holds four national conferences annually and carries out lobbying campaigns to increase funding for education in the federal budget.

4.

Forum for Young Canadians

Forum for Young Canadians
The Forum for Young Canadians is a non-profit group specializing in educating young Canadians in the importance of voting and their involvement in the political arena. The forum runs educational programs aimed at Canadian youth between the ages of 15-19, trying to spark interest at an early age. The program fosters leadership skills in young Canadians and encourages involvement in current affairs and strives to create a politically conscious community amongst the nation's youth.

5.

The Electoral System of Canada

Elections Canada
From Elections Canada the Electoral System of Canada is a webpage designed for those who wish to understand the national electoral system. It outlines completely our system of government from the formation and maintenance of the house-of-commons to the finer points of the first past the post system. It contains the mission statement of elections Canada as well as a detailed breakdown of the federal electoral process.