If elected mayor, Evelyn Dutrisac would present the idea to council of introducing a shadow council featuring high school students.
“As a former high school teacher, I have the greatest respect and confidence in the youth of Greater Sudbury,” she said in a media release.
“When we connect, listen, and engage our youth, they get involved and give 100 per cent in the causes they champion. They demonstrate great ideas, creativity, and compassion in the projects and causes they believe in.”
The effort would help get young people involved in municipal government and “encourage the youth to explore the rights and the responsibilities with being an active citizen in a democratic society.”
Further, she notes, the junior council would “express their own ideas and perspectives, and propose courses of action and methods of creating positive changes in their communities in relation to a civic issue, identifying volunteer opportunities where they can develop a sense of service and leadership skills.”
Dutrisac anticipates the students being elected in co-operation with the boards of education and schools, and that they would be asked to spend time discussing the most relevant issues council will deal with in a specific month.
Before council meetings, students would meet in council chambers to send their recommendations to city council.
