Seventeen-year-old Samuel Robson isn鈥檛 waiting to vote before making his voice heard.
The Mount Boucherie Secondary student from West 91大黄鸭 says he got into politics because he鈥檚 worried about the future鈥攈is, his brother鈥檚, and his peers鈥�. His growing concerns about affordability, safety, and youth engagement have spurred him to action.
鈥淚 can't really sit around and just do nothing,鈥� Robson said in an interview with Black Press Media. 鈥淚 would consider myself a doer.鈥�
He pointed to high taxes on the middle class and small businesses, soaring deficits, and a tough job and housing market that are creating serious challenges for young people in B.C. Robson also raised concerns about public safety and the social effects of the province鈥檚 drug policies.
鈥淭here are violent criminals who are getting out on bail, sex offenders, abusers, and violent people. They鈥檙e not being convicted,鈥� he added. 鈥淭he drug decriminalization in B.C. is making our streets less safe and it allows an unhealthy lifestyle.鈥�
Another major issue that pushed him to get involved, he said, is the rise in anti-Semitism.
鈥淚 see this growing anti-Semitism movement, the pro-Hamas and intifada agendas. I can't really just stand and allow that to be in Canada.鈥�
Robson volunteered for two campaigns in the 2024 provincial election, by going door-to-door and encouraging voter turnout. While some people didn鈥檛 take him seriously because of his age, many were encouraged by his efforts.
鈥淲hether they agreed or not, they said good job for getting out and getting involved,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I still got sworn at a few times.鈥�
Robson said he found that others are also worried about their futures.
鈥淭alking with not just my friends, not just my family, other kids at school as well, lots of people are concerned.鈥�
Now he鈥檚 organizing his own political event, aimed at inspiring more youth to get involved.
Young Conservatives Night will take place Saturday, July 19 at 91大黄鸭 Gospel Fellowship Church (3714 Gordon Drive). Doors open at 5 p.m. The event is open to youth aged 15 to 25 from across the Okanagan.
Speakers include local MLAs Gavin Dew, Kristina Loewen, and Macklin McCall. There will also be free pizza, pop and water.
鈥淚t鈥檒l just be a nice social event, kind of get the youth able to network with each other,鈥� Robson said. 鈥淎lso to start getting involved, whether that鈥檚 just going to an event, meeting their elected officials, or volunteering.鈥�
Robson said the MLAs were quick to support the event.
鈥淭hey responded right away, they all said yes,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey see this is a growing movement.鈥�
He believes young voices are often missing from political conversations, and believes that silence has consequences.
鈥淲ith fewer and fewer people speaking up and taking action, I feel like fewer and fewer voices are really being heard,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 very harmful, especially to our youth.鈥�
As for the current state of politics in B.C., Robson said he is not impressed.
鈥淚鈥檓 very disappointed. We can really be a powerhouse where everybody has equal opportunity economically, and everybody can have a good living. But we鈥檙e not at that point right now.鈥�
He is also frustrated that, in his view, opposition voices aren鈥檛 being heard.
鈥淢y party didn鈥檛 get in the last election,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I think what we heard from the B.C. Conservatives are that they were willing to work with the other MLAs. What you see with the current B.C. government is that they鈥檙e not willing to work with the Conservative MLAs.鈥�
Robson added that he鈥檚 hopeful about what young people can achieve by being politically active, if they show up.
鈥淪tand up for what you think is right. Fight for your future. Fight for others鈥� futures. Stand up and be the change.鈥�
