Jack Layton’s decision to launch his election campaign at the University of Toronto was not insignificant. In fact, it was a testament to the New Democratic Party’s vision of making sure that young people play an important role in shaping the future of our country.

Earlier this year, the NDP rewrote the liberal budget to cancel corporate tax cuts and instead invest in Canada’s human and natural resources, including an increase in funding for environmental conservation, foreign aid, affordable housing, and an additional $1.5 billion for post-secondary education and training. Recognizing the need for an even greater investment in pressing social issues, Layton and his team have launched a platform that will push for increased human rights and civil liberties, more effective global humanitarian efforts, electoral reform, a rejuvenated health care system, and a revitalization of community services that impact our daily lives.

At the core of the NDP’s platform, however, is the realization that the future of Canada is dependent on the success of its youth; from child care reform to tuition fee reduction, the New Democrats are laying the framework for the prosperity of the country through its young people. Included in this vision is a commitment to long-term and stable education funding for provinces, an overhaul of the Canada Student Loans program, and a national student grant system: all resonant to today’s Canadian students who graduate with an average debt of $20,000.

Perhaps more importantly, the NDP is committed to involving youth in the electoral and governing process itself. Olivia Chow, NDP candidate for Trinity-Spadina (a riding which includes a large part of the University of Toronto campus), at a meeting with U of T students on January 12, 2006 at Sidney Smith Hall, was clear in her assertion that “young people are important stakeholders in our country.” Addressing a group of interested students, she made her mandate unmistakable: “yours is a voice that must be heard at all levels of government.”

Chow’s message is resonating within the campus community. Jeff Sweeting, co-chair of the U of T NDP, claims that they are receiving “a fantastic response from students on campus, who are tired of shouldering such staggering tuition fees.” He goes on to add that “the more you put into students, the more you will get out of them. [The NDP’s vision of] ensuring accessible and affordable tuition fees is the bedrock of that investment.”

Olivia Chow, Jack Layton and the NDP know that reinvesting the $4 billion cut out of post-secondary education transfers by the Liberal government — an important tenet of the NDP platform which Layton announced at Hart House in November — and also empowering youth to get involved with the country’s decision making process, are important steps in ensuring the success of Canada. As Layton himself said it, “a good education allows a person — allows you — to build a future. And a good education for everyone allows our country to grow and prosper.” A vote for the NDP is a vote for the continued importance of the average Canadian and for the young people in our country, which in turn is a vote for the continued and increased prosperity of Canada as a whole.