When brothers Jerry and Jason Song began volunteering with their local MP, Patrick Weiler, in 2023, one of their tasks was managing emails from people concerned about issues like housing or the environment. It was in these correspondences that they noticed a lack of young voices. “It got us thinking about a very simple question,” recalls Jason. “Why aren’t there more youth voices at the table, especially when the policies of today will disproportionately impact our futures?”
This question motivated them to start their podcast, TwinTalkPolitics, to increase youth engagement in Canadian politics. Since the first episode in 2024, they’ve interviewed several parliamentarians, senators and political leaders, including Elizabeth May. TwinTalk Politics now has almost one million views across all platforms.
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In each episode, the co-hosts ask guests how young people could become more engaged in democracy. They noticed a recurring response: lower the voting age to 16. So, the Song brothers got involved with #Vote16 Canada, the national movement to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Today, they’re co-directors of #Vote16 BC, leading campaigns at all government levels, and their involvement has spurred significant momentum in the province. In July 2025, they achieved unanimous support from Squamish councillors to endorse the #Vote16 campaign and send a letter to Ottawa. “There has been an increase in engagement from all age ranges, not only youth,” Jason says, adding that he has seen an increase in “youth believing that they actually have a voice and a place in democracy today.”
In the spring of 2025, in their old elementary school gymnasium, Jerry and Jason Song voted for the first time in the federal election, at age 18.
B.C. is one of the leading provinces in the #Vote16 movement, with 19 municipalities and school boards endorsing the initiative. Jerry and Jason’s briefs and speeches have been cited by legislators and youth groups, and they’ve collected thousands of petition signatures. They’re currently campaigning to pass Senate Bill S-222, which would change the voting age to 16 at the federal level.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
“Just get out there and do it. There are countless great ideas that people have, and if you don’t take any action to try to implement them and make them a reality, they only exist as great ideas.”
See the full list of our 2026 30 Under 30 winners here.
