The Yukon bar owner Jonathan McCann, far left, poses for a photo at Rock The Vote on Oct. 17, 2015 in Toronto with Parkdale-High Park riding candidates. From left to right, Adam Phipps of the Green Party, NDP incumbent and candidate Peggy Nash and independent candidate Carol Royer.Michael Chen/The Globe and Mail
Local Toronto musicians and political candidates from different parties banded together Saturday to encourage youth to vote in Monday's federal election.
Adam Phipps, Green Party candidate in the Parkdale–High Park riding, organized the non-partisan event called Rock The Vote three weeks ago to show that candidates can put aside their political differences for a common cause.
"I thought this would be an amazing way to demonstrate to a constituency that politicians at the end of the day mostly care about you voting and exercising your democratic right," Mr. Phipps said at The Yukon bar on Queen Street West.
Mr. Phipps said the event was held this weekend because young people are more likely to cast ballots on election day. After showing people how to register and where they can vote, he said, they have "no excuse" not to.
Indie-folk artist and post-secondary student Robin Linton, also known by her stage name The Super Darling, was one of the musicians who performed for a crowd of about 30 people at the bar.
Ms. Linton recently returned to school to study early childhood education and found her peers were uninformed about the election campaign – even platform promises that pertain to their field, such as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair's proposal to offer five additional weeks of paid leave to new parents.
"No one had any idea what I was talking about," she said, when she brought up politics in casual conversations.
The University-Rosedale resident said Saturday's event was a great way to raise awareness through something young people typically enjoy: music and going to a bar on the weekend.
Punk-rock artist Eamon McGrath said music events like Rock The Vote, such as the Imagine October 20th shows that have been held across the country, could help change an undecided voter's opinion.
Mr. McGrath hopes that for voters at these shows, "the words and songs of people who are really passionate about Canada affected someone's opinion. It's the difference between Harper getting elected or not."
Parkdale–High Park's NDP incumbent Peggy Nash and independent candidate Carol Royer also attended the event. Ms. Nash spoke to the audience and criticized the Harper government's changes to the Fair Elections Act.
"How many think that Stephen Harper doesn't want you to vote on Monday?" Ms. Nash asked to a cheering response from the crowd.
"Otherwise why would he change the elections act to try to make it more difficult for you to vote on Monday? Good job Stephen Harper," she said.
She encouraged the audience to vote and to "create the Canada you want" on Monday.
"All three [Parkdale-High Park] candidates would love for you to vote for us but just go out and vote. Make your voices heard," she said.
Another set of musicians was expected to perform at a second venue in the riding later in the day.