April 26, 2010

Macdonald to attend Kootenay Youth Parliament in Invermere

VICTORIA – In anticipation of his attendance at the 2010 Kootenay Youth Parliament at David Thompson Secondary School in Invermere on May 7th – 9th, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald made the following statement in the Legislature.

Monday, April 26, 2010, Afternoon (from Hansard):

KOOTENAY YOUTH PARLIAMENT

N. Macdonald: On May 7 to 9 the community of Invermere will be hosting the Kootenay Youth Parliament, and I'm looking forward to being part of this most important leadership-building opportunity for the region's youth.

Youth from across the Kootenays will meet at David Thompson Secondary School, where they will learn more about parliamentary debate and how to become a leader in their own community.

This year's Kootenay youth Premier will be Tonie Minhas, and the Leader of the Opposition will be Ali Perdue. The event is put on with the assistance of Werner Kopp, a dedicated teacher who has mentored many aspiring leaders during his career.

The Kootenay Youth Parliament is also being strongly supported by Invermere's mayor, Gerry Taft. Mayor Taft participated in the British Columbia Youth Parliament during his time in high school. In fact, Gerry was the student organizer of the 2001 Kootenay Youth Parliament in Creston.

Mayor Taft credits the program with helping him develop the skills he needed to succeed in his own political career. At the age of 20, he was elected to Invermere town council, and at 26 he was elected mayor.

Other young area politicians who were involved in youth parliament programs include Carmen Gustafson, who served on Golden's town council while in her 20s.

The interest in youth parliament amongst our young people proves that democracy is alive and well throughout British Columbia. It proves that high school students in classrooms across the province care about responsible government and understand their role in protecting our democratic institutions.

Before coming here, I was a social studies teacher and always used to enjoy our MP, Jim Abbott, taking the time to visit our classrooms and talk to students. I think it's something that all MLAs do in their own communities.

I’m looking forward to participating and to encouraging youth to be interested in this parliamentary system.