Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12404 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai
Embassy Freetown
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AE AF AM AR AJ AU AORC AG AEMR AMGT APER AGMT AL AFIN AO AMED ADCO AS ABUD ABLD ASUP ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG APECO AID AND AMBASSADOR AN ARM AY AODE AMG ASCH AMCHAMS ARF APCS APEC ASEAN AGAO ANET ADPM ACOA ACABQ AORL AFFAIRS ATRN ACS AFSI AFSN ADANA ASIG AA AX AUC AC AECL AADP AGRICULTURE AMEX ACAO ACBAQ AQ AORG ADM AINF AIT ASEX AGR AROC ATFN AFGHANISTAN AFU AER ALOW AZ AVERY
BA BY BU BR BE BL BO BK BM BILAT BH BEXP BF BTIO BC BBSR BMGT BTIU BG BWC BB BD BX BP BRUSSELS BN BIDEN BT
CW CH CF CD CV CVIS CM CE CA CJAN CLINTON CIA CU CASC CI CO CACM CDB CN CMGT CS CG CBW CIS CR CONDOLEEZZA CPAS CAN CWC CY COUNTER CDG CL CT CIC CIDA CSW CHR CB CODEL COUNTERTERRORISM CTR COM CICTE CFED CJUS CKGR CBSA CEUDA CARSON CONS CITEL CLMT CROS CITT CAC CVR CDC CAPC COPUOS CBC CBE CARICOM COE COUNTRY CLEARANCE CACS CTM CNARC
DA DR DPRK DJ DEA DEPT DTRA DISENGAGEMENT DOD DEFENSE DOMESTIC DHS DAO DCM DO DE DEAX DOE DK DS
ECON EFIN ETRD EUN EFIS EG ETTC EZ EPET EAID EAGR ENRG ECUN EU ELAB ECPS EAIR EINV ELTN EWWT EIND EMIN EI ECIN ENVR ELECTIONS EINVEFIN EN ES ER EC EUC EINT EINVETC ENGR ET EK ENIV ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ECONOMY EAP EFTA EUR EUMEM EXIM ERD ENERG EUREM ESA ERNG EXTERNAL EPA EINVECONSENVCSJA ECONOMICS ELN EINN EFINECONCS ENNP EEPET ETRDEINVTINTCS ENVI ETRO ESENV ECINECONCS ECONOMIC EAIDS EDU ETRA ETRN EFIM EIAR ETRC EAIG EXBS EURN ECIP EREL ECA ENGY ECONCS ECONEFIN ETC ETRDECONWTOCS EUNCH EINDETRD
FR FJ FI FREEDOM FTAA FARC FAO FINANCE FOR FO FDA FAC FM FTA FISO FMLN FBI FOREIGN FOI FAS FINR
GM GE GG GA GZ GV GH GT GR GY GAERC GOI GAZA GOV GTMO GL GLOBAL GTIP GCC GANGS GERARD GF
HO HURI HA HILLARY HR HU HUMOR HK HUMAN HSTC HEBRON HI HYMPSK
IR IZ IS IAEA INRB IRAJ IQ IN IT IMO INTERPOL ICAO IO IC ITALY ITALIAN IRAQI ICTY ID IPR IWC ILC INTELSAT IL IBRD IMF IA IRC ICRC ILO ITU ITRA IV IDA IAHRC ICJ ISRAELI IRS INMARSAT ISRAEL ISLAMISTS INDO IZPREL ITPHUM ITPGOV ITF IBET IEFIN INR IACI INTERNAL IDP IGAD IEA ICTR IIP INRA INRO IF
JO JA JAMES JM JP JOSEPH JOHNNIE JOHN JUS
KJUS KSCA KNNP KU KCOR KCRM KDEM KTFN KHLS KPAL KWBG KACT KGHG KPAO KTIA KIRF KWMN KS KG KZ KN KMDR KISL KSPR KHIV KPRP KAWK KR KUNR KDRG KCIP KGCC KTIP KSUM KPKO KVIR KAWC KPIN KGIC KRAD KIPR KOLY KCFE KMCA KE KV KICC KNPP KBCT KSEP KFRD KFLU KVPR KOCI KBIO KSTH KMPI KCRS KOMC KTBT KPLS KIRC KREL KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KFLO KBTS KSTC KTDB KFSC KX KFTFN KNEI KIDE KREC KMRS KICA KPAONZ KCGC KSAF KRGY KCMR KRVC KVRP KSEO KCOM KAID KTEX KNUC KNAR KNUP KNNPMNUC KLIG KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KCRCM KHDP KGIT KNSD KOMS KWMM KPAI KHSA KTLA KO KMFO KRCM KCSY KSAC KTRD KPWR KID KWNM KRIM KPOA KCHG KOM KSCI KFIN KMOC KESS KWAC KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KPRV KBTR KERG KTER KDDG KPAK KRFD KHUM KDEV KCFC KWWMN KWMNCS KJUST
LE LY LG LU LH LI LO LOG LAB LTTE LA LABOR LT
MARR MOPS MU MTCRE MNUC MY MASS MCAP MOPPS MAR MPOS MO ML MR MASC MX MD MP MA MTRE MIL MCC MZ MK MDC MRCRE MAPS MV MI MEPN MAPP MEETINGS MAS MTS MLS MILI MTCR MG MC MARAD MIK MILITARY MEDIA MEPI MUCN MEPP MT MERCOSUR MW MASSMNUC MQADHAFI
NZ NATO NG NI NO NATIONAL NU NPT NIPP NL NPG NS NA NGO NP NSG NDP NAFTA NR NC NH NE NSF NPA NK NSSP NRR NATOPREL NSC NT NW NORAD NEW NV NSFO NAR NASA NZUS
OTRA OVIP OPRC OPDC OSCE OAS ODIP OIIP OFDP OVP OREP OFFICIALS OSAC OEXC OPCW OIE OIC OFDA OSCI OPIC OBSP OECD ON OCII OHUM OES OCS OMIG OPAD OTR
PGOV PREL PHUM PINR PTER PSOE PINS PARM PK PBTS PEPR PM POLITICAL PARTIES PREF PBIO PROP PA PSI PINT PO PKFK PL PAK PE POLITICS PINL POL PHSA PU PF POV PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PARMS PRGOV PNAT POLINT PRAM PMAR PG PAO PROG PRELP PPA PCUL PSEPC PSA PREO PAHO PGIV PREFA PALESTINIAN PAIGH POSTS PTBS PGOVLO PORG PGOVE PLN PINF PAS PUNE POLICY PDEM PDOV PCI PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PHUMPGOV PMIL PNG PP PS PHUH PECON POGOV PY PHUMPREL PHUS PRL PGOC PNR PGGV PROV PTERE PGOF PHUMBA PEL
QA
RS RU RW REGION RP RICE ROBERT RSP RUPREL RM RO RCMP RSO RELATIONS REACTION REPORT RIGHTS ROOD RF RFE RIGHTSPOLMIL
SP SA SY SF SYR SENV SCUL SOCI SNAR SO SU SG STEINBERG SHUM SW SMIG SR SZ SIPRS SI SAARC SPCE SARS SN SYRIA SANC SL SCRS SC SENVKGHG SAN SNARCS SHI SWE SNARIZ SIPDIS SEN SNARN SPCVIS SEVN SSA SH SOFA SK ST
TPHY TU TRGY TI TX TS TW TC TFIN TD TSPA TH TT TIP TBIO TSPL TZ TERRORISM TRSY TN THPY TINT TF TL TV TK TO TP TURKEY TNGD TBID TAGS TR
UP US UNSC UK UZ UE UNESCO UV UNGA UN UNMIK UNO UY UAE UNEP UG UNHCR UNHRC USUN UNAUS USTR USNC USOAS UNCHR UNCSD UNDP USEU USPS UNDC UNDESCO UNCHC UNFICYP UNC UNODC UNPUOS UNCND UNICEF UNCHS UNVIE USAID UNIDROIT
VE VZ VN VT VTPREL VM VTIZ VTEG VI VAT VC
WTO WMO WI WTRQ WHO WWARD WA WB WBG WITH WTRO WHA WMD WIPO WS WZ WHTI WFP WEU
XF XA XL XM XR XS XT XK XY XC XG XW XD XV XX XB XE XZ XH XTAG XQ XU XI
YM YI YE YMCS
ZI ZP ZR ZF ZANU ZOELLICK ZU ZO ZB ZL ZK ZEALAND ZN ZA ZJ

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 08OTTAWA1091, YOUNG VOTERS HAVE POTENTIAL TO INFLUENCE ELECTION

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08OTTAWA1091.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08OTTAWA1091 | 2008-08-14 20:08 | 2011-04-28 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Ottawa

`

    VZCZCXRO1085
    PP RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC
    DE RUEHOT #1091/01 2272006
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    P 142006Z AUG 08
    FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8348
    INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 001091

    SENSITIVE

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PGOV CA

    SUBJECT: YOUNG VOTERS HAVE POTENTIAL TO INFLUENCE ELECTION

    ¶1.  (SBU) Summary: Conventional wisdom in Canada suggests that young
    voters are apathetic.  Indeed, official data show youth
    participation rates in federal elections have declined since 1993.
    However, mission conversations with politically-active young
    Canadians suggest that many of them are politically savvy and
    willing to engage, although they seem to favor social protests and
    events organized through the internet as their primary means of
    political expression.  Youth policy priorities do not necessarily
    track with those of older generations either.  The recent upsurge of
    interest among young American voters in Barack Obama's campaign
    might also have a ripple effect in Canada, according to our
    contacts.  These generational differences could bring crucial
    support in the prospective fall 2008 federal election for the party
    that can best tap into issues that interest young people and engage
    them in their preferred media.  End summary.

    The Disappearing Young Voter
    ----------------------------

    ¶2.  (U) In all Western democracies the turnout rate for young voters
    has declined significantly in recent years, and Canada is no
    exception.  Only 38 percent of 18-24 year olds voted in the 2004
    federal election.  A 2007 report by the non-partisan Canadian Policy
    Research Networks (CPRN) said that young Canadians are not only less
    likely to vote, but also are less likely to be interested in
    conventional politics or to be members of political parties and
    interest groups.  Young Canadians are more likely to engage in
    political demonstrations and to be involved with a group or
    organization, said report author Brenda O'Neill.  When measuring
    non-traditional political activity, such as political protest and
    demonstrations, young people participated at a level equal to or
    higher than every other age category, according to O'Neill.

    Clashing Values and Neglect Deflate Youth Turnout
    --------------------------------------------- ----

    ¶3.  (U) Some factors for the decline in traditional civic
    participation among youth include a deficiency of political
    knowledge, a perceived lack of competition between political
    parties, a misunderstanding of the importance of parties, and a
    belief that traditional politics are not an effective conduit to
    political change, according to a study by Elections Canada.
    Researchers also cite increasing individualism and social isolation
    due to more advanced technology as a catalyst for the changing
    nature of political participation and civic engagement.  Politicians
    tend also to focus their energy to engage baby boomers, who do vote
    more often than young people.  Not surprisingly, groups that get the
    most attention from politicians tend to have an increased voter
    turnout, according to an Elections Canada study.

    ¶4.  (U) Researchers report that another reason for the declining
    young voter turnout rate is that young Canadians hold different
    values than older voters.  Since politicians tend to focus on the
    priorities of older voters, young people believe their political
    leaders ignore their interests, according to a 2007 CPRN report by
    Andre Turcotte.  The environment, education, and health care are the
    areas most important to Canadian youth.  They care less about
    defense and economic issues, according to a 2007 CPRN poll.
    Candidates who are seeking the support of young voters are using new
    campaign methods that are perceived as youth-friendly, including
    blogs, text-messaging, and interactive websites.  The Liberal and
    Conservative parties both use these methods, but interact with their
    younger counterparts differently.  Liberals devote a significant
    Qyounger counterparts differently.  Liberals devote a significant
    portion of time and money to their youth organizations, providing
    them with dedicated channels for input on policy development.  The
    Conservatives connect to their youth wings by providing Party news
    and campaign ideas to their university and riding clubs.  They do
    invite young Conservatives to their party conventions.  However, the
    Tories maintain their dominant focus on issues that appeal to older
    generations such as security and the economy.

    Liberals Attract Youth
    ----------------------

    ¶5.  (U) The Liberal Party has reached out to young Canadians by
    forming a youth commission for citizens under the age of 26, called
    the Young Liberals of Canada (YLC). YLC is divided into provincial
    organizations and riding associations within each province.  Their
    membership has ranged in recent years from 60,000 to 80,000.  For
    biennial Liberal Party Conventions up to four Young Liberals in each
    electoral district can join the delegation.  The Liberal Party has a
    blog, podcasts, and online videos (coined "Liberal TV).  MPs and
    high ranking Liberals have made efforts to engage youth by hosting
    events such as beach parties and making appearances at concerts
    hosted by Young Liberals clubs.

    ¶6.  (U) In addition to support for the larger party, Young Liberals

    OTTAWA 00001091  002 OF 002

    of Canada has its own policy objectives such as relieving poverty in
    Africa, fighting climate change, protecting Canadian sex workers,
    improving post-secondary education, protecting civil liberties, and
    promoting same-sex marriage rights. In particular, the Young
    Liberals campaigned hard to make same-sex marriage rights part of
    the Liberal platform during the 2006 party plenary.

    Tories Focused on Older Voters
    ------------------------------

    ¶7.  (U) The Conservatives voted to eliminate their federal youth
    wing in 2004 when the Progressive Conservative Party and Canadian
    Alliance merged to form the Conservative Party of Canada.  CPC
    Energy, an unofficial conservative youth organization, is present
    forty universities.  They also offer summer parliamentary
    internships for college students.  At the provincial level, the
    Ontario PC Association is the governing executive which divides into
    riding clubs similar in organization to the Ontario Young Liberals.
    The Conservative Party seeks to garner support from young people by
    using cell phone texting, e-cards, podcasts, email and blogs to
    circulate Conservative news and policies.  The Tories require that
    at least one of the twelve persons in each electoral district
    delegation be 23 years old or younger.

    ¶8.  (U) Major issues for youth members of CPC Energy are a free
    economic markets, environmental protection, and lower taxes to
    stimulate the economy.  However, while young Conservatives tend to
    support policies fighting climate change, they oppose the Liberal's
    Green Shift carbon tax plan proposed by Liberal leader Stephane
    Dion.  The absence of a federal youth wing of the party could have
    political ramifications in future elections if Conservative youth
    feel marginalized, according to a 2008 analysis by the non-partisan
    youth organization "Apathy is Boring".  The Liberal Party stands to
    win more of the youth vote due to its proactive inclusion of young
    Canadians, according to the report.

    ¶9. (SBU) In conversations with young Canadian political activists,
    it is clear that young people from both parties are responsive to
    MPs contacting them and engaging them in the political sphere.
    Katie Jellett, the Provincial President of the Ottawa-Orleans Young
    Liberals Club, told the political section intern that Liberal MPs
    support fundraisers and rallies organized by young Liberals. Jellett
    added that her Young Liberal peers travelled to Detroit to campaign
    for Barack Obama, indicating, she said, that some of Senator Obama's
    popularity with young Americans has spread to Canada and encouraged
    increased youth activity in Canda.  She also said Justin Trudeau,
    son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, may be the kind of
    candidate in the next few years who compares to Obama in appealing
    to youth.

    Education and Engagement Are Keys to Higher Turnout
    --------------------------------------------- ------

    ¶10. (SBU) Extensive and increased school-based civic education is
    the key to increased youth political participation, according to
    Elections Canada and CPRN researchers.  However, young people are
    also organizing themselves to promote the youth vote.  The
    non-partisan Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO)
    promotes political participation by young voters in local and
    national politics in the capital region.  SFUO Campaign Coordinator
    Michael Cheevers said his organization does extensive
    "get-out-the-vote" operations during election seasons.  He said the
    popular "Rock the Vote" campaign in association with the young
    Conservatives club and the Young Liberals uses rock concerts to
    encourage students to vote.  The fringes of the concert hall are
    Qencourage students to vote.  The fringes of the concert hall are
    lined with booths to disseminate information about the parties and
    issues, encouraging students to register and become informed voters.

    ¶11. (SBU) Comment: While the youth turnout rate is much lower than
    that of older voters, young people are not politically indifferent.
    As in much of the rest of the developed world, young Canadians care
    about different issues than older generations.  Youth organizations
    such as "Apathy is Boring" and "Student Vote Canada" show that young
    people do tend to organize themselves but do so differently than
    older citizens, with more emphasis on internet-based forms of
    communication and mobilization through protests and demonstrations.
    In a close election, an energized youth vote might tip the balance
    for the party that is best able to tap into the ambitions and
    desires of the new generation of citizens.

    Wilkins

`