Here’s a question:  Is a typical 16–year-old mature enough to vote?  Depending on birth dates, normally the year in which you’re 16 aren’t you finishing grade 10 and starting grade 11?   Is the average 16-year-old wise enough in the ways of the world and aware of what’s happening politically to make an informed choice on Election Day?   Thinking back to when I was that age, I would probably have to admit the answer would likely be no on both counts.  The voting age in a federal election was 21 until 1970 when it was lowered to 18.  The exception was for those in the military.  I recall my dad recounting how when he was in the Air Force at age 19 he could go fight and maybe get injured or killed for his country and even vote but couldn’t have a beer.  The legal drinking age was 21 until the 1970’s when all provinces and territories lowered it to either 18 or 19.   As far as voting age goes, the British government said last week it plans to give 16 and17 year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections.  In last year’s European Parliament elections European Union members were given the option to allow people to vote from the age of 16 and the move has already been taken by Germany, Belgium, Austria and Malta.  Lowering the voting age to 16 here has been talked about but a stumbling block is that the legal age of majority is 18 and people under 18 are treated differently in many ways including the criminal justice system plus minors still require parental consent for many things.  We’ll see if anything changes down the road.