By Jason Daley
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Ambitious students from numerous high schools across the Island invaded the legislative assembly in Charlottetown Friday, each taking on a mock political role in the 30th annual Rotary Youth Parliament.
Speaker Buck Watts and Deputy Speaker Kathleen Casey provided procedural guidance throughout the process. Casey sometimes briefly stopped the assembly’s proceedings to explain things to the students in order to aid them in their understanding and learning. One example occurred when it was time to decide if one of the bills, The Defibrillators in School Act, as it would be read clause-by-clause.
“What that means is that sometimes the members of the House may say, ‘No, minister, just give us a brief explanation.’ And then we open the floor for questions on the bill. Or, if the bill has 30 sections, the opposition may ask whomever is presenting the bill to read it line-by-line and then you pass it to discuss section-by-section,” Casey said to the students.
The Youth Parliament is a two-day event where mock MLAs address various bills and resolutions. In preparation for the assembly, the student participants spend time meeting with fellow students from across P.E.I in order to organize their platforms and debate topics. Some notable bills being brought to the table and debated are the Wheelchair Accessibility Act, The Carbon Tax Act and the Mental Health Care Improvement Act.
Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry delivered the throne speech. She praised the partnership of the government and the Rotary Clubs of P.E.I., who are the hosts of the event.
“This co-operative effort is a most commendable one. I hope that the practice conducted in the parliament today will continue for many years to come,” said Perry.
Perry took time out to specifically thank the many high school teachers for their leadership and encouragement of the students attending the event. A number of the teachers were in attendance to watch their students debate.
“I thank you very much for ensuring that this program continues. Rotarians can do a lot. But we need those teachers at the front line,” Perry said.
She concluded by saying she hopes the event’s experience leads to real-life opportunities for the students.
“My wish is that I will see some of you as elected MLA’s here someday,” she said.
The students will return to the floor of the legislature today from 9 a.m. to noon to conclude the event.
