With the Provincial election on the horizon Elections Manitoba has launched a student video challenge.

"We started this program to engage young people in the electoral process, and discussions about democracy. We started that program for the 2011 General Election," said Elections Manitoba's Manager of Communications and Public Information Allison Mitchell. "For the upcoming 2016 election, we expanded it with this new contest that encourages teachers of grades seven to twelve classes in Manitoba to create three videos on democracy related themes. The contest is partly to tie in with the election, and also with the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Manitoba. Manitoba was the first Province in Canada that allowed women to vote."

The challenges cover three topics including;

- Representation - 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote in Manitoba, but do we have equal representation today? How could it improve?

- Canadian Democratic Rights - Canada has rights and freedoms other countries are striving to achieve. What are they and what impact do they have.

- Mandatory Voting - Is mandatory voting the recommended way to increase participation?

Mitchell stated the goal of this challenge is to get the younger generations more involved and in-tune with the voting process.

There will be a winner in the grades 7-8 category, and another in the 9-12 category.

"For two different groups in each of the categories we are offering a class pizza party, and also a $500 grant that the class can award to a charity that they choose," said Mitchell. "That prize in itself is also meant to enhance participation and discussion. It also allows the teacher to discuss, what a worthy charity may be."

Mitchell noted they encourage teachers to sign up for the program. She added registration details, and each video's deadline can be found on their website.

The deadline to register is October 7th.