The recent Wood Buffalo student vote helped students in the local community learn about elections and the voting process. In general youth voter apathy in Canada is a growing concern however this was not an issue in Fort MacMurray and Wood Buffalo recently when students had a chance to cast their vote. The Student Vote Project was a simulation of of the 2015 Alberta provincial election in order to attract and engage young voters. 20 different schools in Fort MacMurray and more than 1,500 students participated in the project. The students had an opportunity to cast their vote the day before the provincial election was held, and some also had a chance to work as poll workers and other election officials as well. It was a fun and educational experience for the students.

Westwood High School social studies teacher Lise Arsenault participated in the Wood Buffalo student vote project and helped to run the vote at the school. Arsenault said “I thought it would be a good social studies aspect, it was part of our curriculum. Encouraging students to vote and actually to get a real experience out of it would be essential to encourage them to vote later on.” Student Noku Mpofu, in grade 12, said “Every vote counts, so it’s a first time I could have my voice really heard. I wasn’t planning on voting and even if I was I wasn’t sure who to vote for … if we hadn’t done all of this stuff I wouldn’t be as informed.”