STUDENTS CALL CAPITAL EXPERIENCE A SUCCESS

Barry Devolin Column (Nov 4)

It’s often said that our youth is our future, and from what I saw during the three days in Ottawa last week as part of the first ever Capital Experience I’d say our future is bright.

The Capital Experience is an initiative I committed to during the last federal election which touched on one of my six local priorities – helping the youth of this riding. I have been concerned for some time with declining interest in public life among young people. This initiative is meant to rekindle that interest.

To this end, I took two students from each of the seven high schools in the riding to Ottawa to learn about career opportunities that could await them following their education.  Many are leaders on their student councils and I’m hoping this initiative will encourage more students to get involved in student government. 

I really enjoyed getting to know the students, many of whom had good ideas - one even offered to join my Farm Council! Some of the stops included a visit to the office of the Minister of Agriculture, a meeting with government relations group Summa Strategies Canada, being received at the Saudi Arabian Embassy and speaking with Jenni Byrne, a Fenelon Falls Secondary School graduate now working in Ottawa.

On Sunday evening, we had an “after-hours” tour of the House of Commons with two security guards who allowed us pretty much unlimited access to the entire Parliament Building . On Tuesday afternoon, the students were also able to attend Question Period and listen while I stood and introduced each one of them during a Member’s Statement.

In closing, I would like to thank all of the service groups and local businesses who stepped forward to sponsor one or more students. Each played an important role in helping to educate our youth and encourage them to follow their career dreams, and I know that we couldn’t have pulled this off without their help.

These sponsors are: Lindsay Lions; Fenelon Falls Rotary; Bobcaygeon Lions; Minden Rotary; Lindsay Carpet Cleaners; Bell World in Lindsay; Kinmount Lions; Coboconk Lions; Haliburton Rotary; Stewart Morrison Insurance in Lindsay, Sunderland and Woodville; Walker Heating and Cooling Systems in  Haliburton; and Canadian Tire in Lindsay.

I want to finish by saying how much that I and my staff enjoyed our 3 days together. These were 14 terrific young people, and I hope to host an equally interesting group next year.