MySpace Canada launches Election '08 online forum to engage young voters

MySpace, the world’s premier social network, has taken the lead in engaging Canadian voters online. MySpace Canada has launched Elections ’08 on Impact Canada to serve as the pulse of Canadian politics online this election season. To become leaders in online participation and activism, Canadians need a virtual venue to engage each other and our political parties on the hottest election issues of the day. Providing the latest news, polls, videos, message boards and daily blog posts, MySpace Impact Canada provides an updated, interactive forum for election discussion.

In an effort to bridge the communications gap between Canadian politicians and the younger voting community, Elections ’08 on MySpace Canada is empowering voters to speak directly to the politicians – and get answers. Questions are asked by Impact Canada users across the country, and responses are posted directly from party leaders and members. While all parties were invited to participate on the MySpace Canada forum, only the Liberals agreed to be involved. The first round of questions addressed by the Liberal Party will be posted at 10:00 a.m. EST today. MySpace Impact Canada will update content daily to engage the online community.

“Unlike in the United States, the Canadian political parties are still learning how to leverage the digital arena for politics,” said Dave Stevens, General Manager for MySpace Canada. “MySpace Canada has the tools and membership to really engage Canadians and allow them to put their hands on the issues impacting them and their country. It’s about beginning conversations online that span the country and reach decision makers. We’ve encouraged the political parties to get involved online, and some of them are starting to listen.”

Elections ’08 on MySpace Impact Canada is already home to socially aware individuals and organizations including David Suzuki, War Child, and UNICEF. The site will also feature election commentary including blogs and videos from Canadian musicians like Bedouin Soundclash and other high-profile members of the MySpace Canada community. Online polls measure how users intend to vote and what the most important issues are for them. There are 36 active forums on MySpace Impact Canada, and there have been over 250,000 visits since the re-launch of the site on September 16, 2008.

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