VOTE VOTE VOTE!

10 November 2026Ava B, Hope ‘27

Since September, BC has been in a state of political change. The Premier, David Eby, Leader of the NDP, called for an election nearly two years early. Then, all of a sudden, politics was everywhere: on the news, in the hallways, and in the classrooms. Eby claimed he called this election for more economic stability with the United States. He argued this move for the vote was to protect BC from the US trade war.

While parents and teachers were making their way to the voting polls, Brentwood students were doing the same.

When it came to the student vote, lots of Brentwood students realized how much homework went into one check mark. “With how much misinformation is online, it was quite hard to decide who and what I wanted to represent myself,” said Hope House Captain Miyabi S, Hope “27.

Leading up to the vote, social studies classes across all grades went into detail about what each candidate stood for. The grade eights broke into groups and presented what each candidate wanted for Cowichan Valley, and Mr. Pasquale’s political studies class, along with running the vote, prepared a brief explanation for each candidate.

If this vote taught Bentwood students anything, it would be that even at a connected school like our, we can still have disputes amongst each other. Simulation votes like this are a way to teach more of the independence that Brentwood strives to give its students. Allowing youth to participate in important events such as elections preps us for the real world. Bella B, Allard ‘27 says, “I wasn’t sure how to vote or if voting worked at first, but now I can say that I’m ready!”

Finally, let’s compare the real election results with our own: at Brentwood we had a similar result to what we saw across the province: a Conservative majority with the NDP coming in second and the Greens holding steady in third. The result was surprising, as the last time BC had a Conservative government was in 1928. Teacher of political studies Mr Pasquale said, “When it comes to Brentwood’s results, it was not surprising, but the reaction from the province was.”

If Brentwood students were to take away anything from this election, it’s that voting isn’t just showing up and checking a box. It’s researching, listening, and having conversations, and most importantly, making up your own mind.

I may have only a few years until I can really vote, but I know that I’ll be ready.

Ava B, Hope ‘27

Where Students Choose To Be