SAIT Campus Heritage Hall taken by Izzy Morin
As the federal election approaches on April 28th, Calgary’s student community is gearing up for an intense political season. Liberal leader Mark Carney has called the election, and with it, a wave of nervous anticipation is sweeping through the city—especially among students.
“The most important thing for me is having a strong leader,”
Many students, like Micheal Franc, a member of the Electrical Engineering Technologies program, are closely watching the future of Alberta’s energy sector. “The most important thing for me is having a strong leader who can stand up to what’s going on in the States and support our energy industry,” he says. “We need someone who won’t keep taxing it over and over.”
With Alberta’s economy and energy policies in the spotlight, many students are grappling with the potential impact on their careers. Sean Duggan sees the election as an opportunity for change. “I think it’s a critical time right now with all the changes, with unfortunate happenings down south of us and just creating an opportunity to vote who they want in charge to be had someone step down. It wasn’t voted in, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it provides an opportunity.”
Environmental issues are also top of mind. Alan Thacker highlights the need for action on environmental crises and affordable living. “You know, environmental crises, they can be hard to solve once they start to be a problem. And finally, I also think it’s really important that we work on the affordable housing prices and the cost of living,” he states.
Immigration policies are another hot topic for SAIT’s predominantly international student population. Hannah Mae Tolentino urges students to stay informed, regardless of their voting status. “Even if international students can’t vote, the decisions made will still affect them,” she says.
As Election Day draws closer, Calgary’s students are feeling the weight of their choices. Their votes will not only shape the future of Canada but also influence their own futures.
Comments