We all remember the good ol’ days in high school where just entering a Grade 11 classroom opened you to the vast opportunities of meeting new friends. Whether seated next to them in class or assigned to a group project together, there was always the possibility of meeting a new peer. Even after-school extracurriculars like dance or soccer allowed you to meet various individuals who enjoyed the same hobbies as you.

Whether you’re at a club, bar, party, or special work event, alcohol consumption has always been a shared activity amongst high school and college students, family and co-workers. Alcohol is so normalized during social events that when someone declines to drink, they are often judged, met with sideways glances, and pressured to drink despite saying no. 

In a few days, the Senate of Canada will be voting on whether to send Bill S-201 (otherwise known as the Vote 16 Act or #Vote16) to committee. The Vote 16 Act would amend the Canada Elections Act by lowering the voting age in federal elections from 18 to 16.