The Richmond Community Coalition hosted a town hall meeting Wednesday night at the Richmond Cultural Centre.
The topic was youth engagement and billed under the banner question, ‘Why don’t young people vote?’
The party’s president Rob Howard and members of the RCC asked the crowd of about 100, mostly youth aged 15-25, how the political process worked and how young people can become better engaged.
A hot topic was housing affordability as a few voiced concerns about not being able to live in Richmond when they become adults.
One young adult suggested city council have an official liaison with student bodies.
One parent noted addressing parent advisory councils can often be an “intimidating” process and it would be in the interest of youth to have them be more welcoming.
City critic Roland Hoegler noted the entire process of civic politics today was that of a “red pill, blue pill mentality” whereby candidates are essentially the same. He later appeared incensed after being eventually cut off by organizers.
It took until the last half hour for one woman to finally note the meeting had yet to address the leading question, 'Why don't young people vote?'
One youth suggested that it was simply too much to process. Others said they needed avenues of engagement such as contact with city politicians.
The RCC is a self-proclaimed non-partisan political party that claims it will create a platform based on public input and town hall meetings.
@WestcoastWood
gwood@richmond-news.com
