City of Powell River councillors will sponsor a student to the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP), which is a province-wide, non-partisan organization for young people aged 16 to 21.
At the October 6 city council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to allocate $425 to sponsor one student’s registration fee to attend BCYP.
At the October 4 committee of the whole meeting, councillors received correspondence from the BC Youth Parliament, which will be operating its 94th session at the provincial legislature from December 27 to 31.
Brooks Secondary School has funded students for the last 15 years to go to parliament, according to councillor Jim Palm, who was a career educator at the school before his retirement this year. He said Brooks needs to be contacted to ask if the school would spearhead getting the word out to the students and to see how the school responds to that request.
The registration fee cost is $425 per student, according to the correspondence from BC Youth Parliament. Brooks, in the past, has sent two students.
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said several Powell River youth council members had been successful in attending in prior years. She added that Abby Head, a former member of the youth council, and now a fourth-year political science student at the University of British Columbia, will be premier of BC Youth Parliament this year.
“Becoming a member taught me not just about the parliamentary process, but about the institution of government and the role youth can play when we come together,” stated Head in correspondence read at the committee of the whole meeting. “BCYP gave me countless skills and experiences that have enhanced my professional, academic and community service roles.”
Corporate officer Chris Jackson said regarding a sponsorship, the information on BC Youth Parliament opportunity could be posted on the city’s website, circulated through city social media, and referred to School District 47 staff.
