‘MLA for a day’ event ‘eye-opening
Watch out Bob Wanner, Crescent Heights High School student Abby Rann could be after your job in a few years.
The youth was selected to shadow Medicine Hat’s MLA and speaker of the house as part of province-wide MLA for a Day program — and came away with a greater enthusiasm about getting involved in politics.
“It’s given me an eyeopening idea to what it’s like to get involved, how to get involved, and how I can get started today,” said Rann. “Not waiting until after college ... I can start right now basically.”
The Grade 12 student applied to the program because she’s interested in politics, and wanted to get a better grasp of how the government works and what it’s like to be an MLA.
She joined students from across the province for three days in the provincial capital. The first day included a tour of the “breathtaking” legislature building, said Rann, while the second included information sessions.
It’s these two sessions — one on getting women into politics, and the other called “We are Treaty People” that stood out for her.
“That was super empowering for me, because getting women into politics is super important,” said Rann, saying she feels she can now empower her friends to become involved too. “Because it’s sad that only 33 per cent of our Senate is female ... I feel the more we do things like this, the more girls can feel they have the power, and the right to get into politics.” The session on treaties was also “awesome,” she said. “It talked a lot about the past of the treaties, and how we can go about reconciliation, and that was super-super interesting to learn about.”
“You learn so much about just our past and how us as teenagers can change things. We’re really told we have to wait to be adults to be a part of things, and we really don’t. It was a huge learning experience.”
The third day included students participating in a debate in the chamber over a mock bill — and of course, spending time with Bob Wanner.
“He’s a great mentor and it was a huge learning experience,” said Rann.
Rann is looking to take political science after graduating high school, but also become involved with municipal politics.
“Back home, that’s where it starts, right in the community,” she said.