While provincial MLAs were home for the holidays, youth leaders were hard at work in Victoria with an eye to the future.
The 89th session of the B.C. Youth Parliament was held last week in the legislature, bringing together a group of 97 young people ages 16 to 21 from every corner of the province to debate legislation, address social issues and learn parliamentary procedure.
One of those young people was Tsawwassen’s Hannah Burnett, who is in her third year as a member of BCYP. She is on the shadow cabinet this year and serves as critic of corporate relations and critic of the minister of state for the gala.
Burnett, who graduated from South Delta Secondary last year, said she was introduced to the BCYP at a young age.
“Both my parents went to BCYP, they met there so I kind of grew up hearing about it,” she said. “When I joined my first year I learned a lot and just decided I wanted to continue doing this for as long as I could.”
BCYP forms a non-partisan government during the session, yet just as MLAs do, Burnett and her colleagues take the legislation they pass back to their communities to make a difference throughout the province. In accordance with their motto, “youth serving youth,” the legislation and private member bills they pass will be turned into action. All that is debated in the house is written by members, and will lay out a plan for the organization’s activities throughout the year.
“The social service aspect of the organization is what really excites me more than the political side,” Burnett said. “This week is important, but throughout the year you are expected to be involved in a number of fundraisers, social activities and service projects.”
Besides last week’s session in Victoria, BCYP members will hold six regional youth parliaments for high-school aged youth to learn parliamentary procedure as well as run a summer camp, Camp Phoenix, for children who would not otherwise be able to attend camp.
Celebrating its 50th year, Camp Phoenix is completely staffed by the members of BCYP and funded through their fundraising efforts.
“Camp Phoenix is a very rewarding opportunity to be involved in. I really enjoy that aspect of service and giving back to the community,” Burnett said.
In addition to debating and voting on their legislation, BCYP members also considered other important social issues through their private members’ resolutions, including public financing of political parties, construction of the Site C dam and school uniforms.
