The Body Shop Canada campaigns to move federal election day to the weekend

The Body Shop Canada has partnered with nonpartisan organization Apathy is Boring to petition to move federal election day to the weekend. 

The political move is in line with The Body Shop’s ‘Be Seen. Be Heard’ joint campaign with the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, which aims to increase young people’s participation in public life in more than 75 countries. In Canada, voters aged 18-25 consistently have the lowest turnout compared to all age groups.

As part of the movement, visitors to The Body Shop’s store and website can educate themselves on the importance of voting and sign a petition to move federal election day to a weekend. To support Apathy is Boring, The Body Shop will also make a $30,000 donation.

To further amplify the campaign, the beauty retailer has enlisted the brand’s ‘Changemakers’, ambassadors including Two-Spirit activist and Indigenous content creator Kairyn Potts, environmental scientist Kelcie Miller-Anderson and environmental scientist, Indigenous research, model and pow-wow dancer Nikita Kahpeaysewat. 

”Voting is one of the most effective ways to make change happen,” said Hilary Lloyd, vice president of marketing and corporate responsibility for The Body Shop North America. 

“That is why The Body Shop is improving access to voting by campaigning to move federal election day to the weekend – ultimately allowing more young people to get involved in the democratic institutions that have such a large influence on their lives. We are proud to partner once again with Apathy is Boring to support their work equipping young Canadians with the resources and skills to be changemakers.”

Since launching last May at the United Nations, ‘Be Seen. Be Heard’ has successfully lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 in Malaysia and encouraged the UK’s House of Lords to amend two clauses in its Public Order Bill to better protect the right to protest.

“The outcome of our elections impact all Canadians,” said Samantha Reusch, executive director of Apathy is Boring. “

When policies are being created, it’s crucial that youth, and especially marginalized youth voices are represented. Moving Election Day to a holiday or weekend may seem like a small act, but it can have a tremendous impact on voter turnout. Especially when we consider that 25% of youth cited being “too busy” as their primary reason for not voting.”