Cultivating legislation

Canadian youth create the future they want with national conference

A handful of Summerside youth are impacting federal legislation after participating in a national conference in Toronto recently.

Six members from Generation XX, volunteer staffer Victoria Cahill, and supervisors Gordie Whitlock and Gary Ramsay attended the Students Commission the Canada We Want conference from Feb. 28 to Mar 5. Participants were split up into groups of about seven to 15 people of various themes and created action plans for the federal government to consider when creating legislation concerning Canada’s youth. “There was youth from every province and territory in the country. And after creating action plans and recommendations a few of us from each group got to present to politicians and other officials,” explained Jayden Ryder-Clements, 15.

Jayden has attended the conference multiple times and says it’s an incredible and eye-opening experience.

“I think this year was the most important for the conference because we were presenting, directly to government, what we want to see done for our future,” he concluded.

This was Erica Fridette’s second time attending the conference.

“Last year I was in the group that dealt with mental health recommendations. I decided to go back to that group this year, so I could hear new ideas and issues that other people from across the country,” said the 17-year-old.

Erica says the conference has helped her become more comfortable

with talking in front of crowds and new people.

“It really allowed me to connect with new people from different cultures and religions, with us all coming together to create a future we want.”

Clay Ramsay also voiced his admiration for the experience saying it was an experience that everyone should participate in. “It’s good to know that the government is taking youths’ opinions seriously. They’re actually listening and hearing what we’re saying.”

Clay added, “It’s legislation that can affect my future.”

Gary Ramsay, one of the chaperones, said it was inspiration to watch the kids come up with legislation create the future they want. “It was a real honour to see them in action. It was an incredible experience. The knowledge they have about what they want for their future blew me away.”

MILLICENT MCKAY/JOURNAL PIONEER Jayden Ryder-Clements, left, Erica Fridette, Victoria Cahill and Clay Ramsay recently attended a national youth conference which allowed participants to present recommendations and action plans to federal politicians and other officials to create the...

Members from Generation XX took on Canadian legislation recently by participating in a national conference, which had participants come up with the Canada they want for their future.