![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/26162737_web1_210816-BPD-Influence-the-Vote.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cYes, your vote does matter,\u201d says Chirino. \u201cWhen you sign up for the campaign, you get general information. That’s kind of how we’re combatting those two barriers to voting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) external executive Puneet Kaur says the CCSS has been expecting for a few weeks that the election would be called.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has pros and cons. It’s a short period. It’s good for one [of the] government [parties]. It’s mixed emotions at the moment,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Kaur says two big issues the government is dealing with now are COVID-19 and climate change.\u00a0The government can focus on issues relating to expenses and employment for students after COVID gets more under control, she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe federal election is something which is one of the major concerns each political student union focuses on,\u201d says Kaur. \u201cThis is why we are here as a student union.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chirino says the BCFS knows students care about issues facing them, such as the increasing costs of education and living, climate change, and racism and discrimination, both systemically and day to day on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn our part, we are just trying to get parties to submit what they will be working on related to students, or what students care about, and we’re putting these out so students are able to make an informed decision,\u201d says Chirino.<\/p>\n
Kaur says one of the main ways the CCSS will get the word out is at Camfest, the welcome-back event for students happening the first week back at school.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach vote will make a difference,\u201d says Kaur. \u201cThis is a democratic country… Everyone should be responsible citizens and voting is our first duty towards a democratic country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chirino says voting is important, and that it is a privilege.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally use your voice at the polls,\u201d she says. \u201cYour vote does matter.\u201d<\/p>\n