My name is Callum Stuart. I am currently 20 years old and I moved to the area August of 2012.
I absolutely love Qualicum Beach and surrounding communities, but on almost a daily basis I find my self disgruntled by how I am treated and the received by members of the Qualicum Beach community.
I’m often told I look younger than my age and this is what I see as the reason to such actions taken by others.
I understand that some youths give a negative stereotype to older people in the community but in my day to day experiences I’ve been treated as a second class citizen by many of my elders in the community.
I’ve been discriminated because of my age from trying to rent apartments even though no age restrictions where given by landlords, made to wait longer in lines at retail stores along with food establishments then older members of community.
I acknowledge every person I walk past by taking out headphones and saying “good morning” or “good afternoon?,” yet I rarely receive acknowledgement in return.
I also observe the same members of the community acknowledge others of older age.
I’m not saying that every person acts like this towards me but it’s a daily occurrence nonetheless.
To be honest it’s making me rethink my choice of residence in the area, sadly.
I find I am not alone in these experiences as a young adult.
I realize that the majority of the population of Qualicum Beach is older and I feel it will increase if discrimination of youths by older persons continues to push us away from feeling part of this community.
I just ask to receive equal respect as I put out. It’s my right as a Canadian citizen, isn’t it?
Callum Sinclair Stuart
Qualicum Beach