OTTAWA - Student groups say young voters -- a group that typically registers some of the lowest turnout levels in the country -- cast more ballots in last week's federal election than they did four years ago.
The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations estimates that youth voter turnout was up by about 10 per cent since 2011, based on consultations with member campuses.
The exact number won't be known until Elections Canada releases detailed breakdowns of voter turnout in the coming months.
Elections Canada numbers show 70,231 people came out to special elections offices set up on 38 campuses during a four-day stretch ahead of advance voting days over the Thanksgiving long weekend as part of a pilot project to get more students out to vote.
Canadian Federation of Students national chairperson Bilan Arte says the numbers help to undermine the reputation of young people as politically apathetic.
The figures have emboldened student groups to lobby the incoming Liberal government to make it easier to pay for post-secondary school and to create jobs for young people upon graduation.
