I’m 18, a first-time voter and I believe this election is one of the most important in recent Canadian history and that听gen-Z 鈥 my generation 鈥 cannot afford to sit it out if we want a say in how our future unfolds.听
My tech-savvy generation has been shaped by unique circumstances, including anxiety-inducing social media, the profound loneliness of pandemic lockdowns and now the seemingly imminent end of the American dream.听We have distinct views on issues from听affordable housing to climate change and we can’t let older generations make these decisions for us, even though at times it can all feel like too much to bear.
But听gen-Z is not one cohesive voting block. During the election campaign, I observed my gen-Z peers split into different camps.听In an attempt to provide a better understanding of who we are, I came up with three categories of gen-Z voters: Pierre鈥檚 Defenders, Singh/Carney Smart Voters, and The Overwhelmed, which I will explain below:
With less than a week to go until election day, Canada's five main political parties have released their costed platforms. Canadian Press reporter Dylan Robertson walks through some of what the parties are pitching to voters. (April 26, 2025 / The Canadian Press)
Pierre鈥檚 Defenders
The moment the advanced polls opened, one of my friends rushed out to vote for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party. Within minutes of casting his ballot, he texted me, a few group chats, and posted a photo of Poilievre on Instagram听#BringItHome, #Voted. His goal was not just to share, but to convince friends, followers and strangers to join him in voting Conservative.
Pierre Defenders are loud, confident and convinced Canada has lost its identity. They want it back. This group, often white males, in college or the trades, long for the good old days. They complain about high taxes and talk about how the left has become too radical in its support of social issues such as LGBTQ rights.听One frustrated friend told me everything feels stacked against him: rent, gas, taxes, identity.听鈥淲hat is the point of being in university when the world does not need more of me,鈥 he said referring to being a white male. The carbon tax was their biggest gripe, cars equal freedom for this group and the tax cut into it. They take pride in not being “socially correct鈥 but this is not always based on hate. Often, it’s disillusionment. Many of my conservative-leaning friends are the first to defend me when someone derides my Mexican identity.听
Canadians will vote for a new government on Monday in an election that has been upended by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and his threats to make Canada the 51st state. (AP video: Mike Householder / April 26, 2025)
The Singh/Carney Smart Voters
The gen-Z Mark Carney champions are a mix of progressive-minded Liberals and NDP supporters. I鈥檝e noticed that those who lean Liberal are more reserved and thoughtful, then the passion-fuelled NDP progressives.听If they attend university, they are often studying liberal arts, such as political science. They don’t talk about who they are voting for either because they believe it is taboo, or they don’t want a confrontation with a Pierre Defender. However, they are quick to point out the Liberal leader’s academic and business achievements 鈥 their 鈥渁ctions, not words鈥 response to Conservatives. They are what political scientists have historically called 鈥渢he silent majority.鈥 This group will not post the fact that they voted on social media, but if you ask, they will inform you that they always exercised their civic duty.
I call the more passionate progressives the smart voters because they are so fixated on keeping Poilievre out of office, they turn to smart voting tactics. These gen-Zers are politically engaged and committed to their cause and tend to support the NDP. They canvass, volunteer and post political matters on their social media. They can be overheard preaching the dangers of vote splitting. They don’t like Poilievre’s stance on women’s rights, guns and his involvement with the far right. Because of this they are not committed to voting for their preferred party and strategically turn to websites such as to try to prevent Conservatives from winning a seat. To quote one of my friends 鈥淭he NDP has my heart, but smart voting has my brain.鈥
The Overwhelmed
I have many friends who fit into this group. They understand听the importance of the election but are paralyzed with indecision or fear. 鈥淲hat if I vote for the wrong person, and they end up doing horrible things,” one recently said to me. These听gen-Zers听understand this is possibly the most important election in our lifetime, but they are exhausted from living through harrowing times and find the weight of it all a lot to bear. There鈥檚 a reason听gen-Z听jokes, “I鈥檓 tired of living in a history textbook,” a reference to living through so many life-changing events so early in our lives. Out of pure indecisiveness, they just might vote for the candidate their parents’ support. 鈥淚 am just going to follow my parents’ lead,鈥 my cousin told me. Or, for peace of mind, they might tune out altogether.
We in听gen-Z have lived through a lot in our short time on the planet. Yet I believe our hardworking generation is a hopeful generation and that hope will carry us to the polls to vote on April 28.
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