One Brockville high school student says the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s Model Parliament for Youth is a worth attending.
Grade 12 student at St. Mary’s Catholic High School Richard Deeves was selected to attend the three day experience at Queen’s Park in Toronto and came back with a positive review for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. According to Deeves the application process was lengthy, including a 500-word essay, and he was the first student selected from St. Mary’s.
Deeves says the most enriching part of the trip was the mock parliament session held in the legislative chambers. Each party brought a bill for the students to debate in the morning, followed by question period in the afternoon. There was also a ‘Meet the MPP Game’ where students had a few minutes to speak with many MPPs and non-partisan political employees.
According to Deeves he was drawn to the program because he dreams of becoming a lawyer and thought the formation of laws and political policy seemed like important knowledge. Over 100 students attended from across the province and Deeves finished by calling it a once in a lifetime experience.
The model parliament started in 1986 and runs every year. Applications are accepted from September to November annually.