Local students take on Parliament

Laurentian University students were in Ottawa Jan. 6 for the university's annual Model Parliament.

This year marks the 20th anniversary for the program which gives students the opportunity to explore the democratic process and to experience the workings of a parliamentary democracy.

“The Model Parliament Program is an interactive way to engage students and a unique opportunity for them to discover what democracy is about while putting into practice some of the knowledge that they have acquired," Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux said, in a press release.

Laurentian is one of only two Canadian universities privileged to be able to hold a Model Parliament in the House of Commons and simulate the Canadian Government for a day, the press release said.

Students discuss issues, debate and negotiate on bills, and critique the budget.

Laurentian University chancellor Aline Chrétien will have an active role this year at Model Parliament.

She will serve as Governor General, reading the Speech from the Throne in the Senate chamber.

“I am very excited to participate in this year’s Model Parliament. Laurentian encourages its students to ask questions, to challenge what they know, and empower them to create innovative solutions for future local and global issues,” Chrétien said.

“This is a perfect example of that, and I look forward to living this wonderful experience with Laurentian students.”

Also attending and will be former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault and Senator Marie-P. (Charette) Poulin, among other guests.

“The Model Parliament encourages students to get passionate about issues that affect Canadians and to use their voices to make a difference,” Zachary Courtemanche, president of the Laurentian University Political Science Association, said.

“It gives them first-hand experience in the House of Commons and provides participants with valuable learning that they can take with them.”

Four local high school students are also attending a similar event in the House of Commons this weekend.

Edréa Fechner, who attends ESC Champlain in Chelmsford, Cassandre Bergeron, who attends ESC l'Horizon in Val Caron, Jean-Loup Doudard, who attends Collège Notre-Dame in Sudbury, and Benjamin Doudard, who attends Collège Notre-Dame in Sudbury, are all participating in the Parlement jeunesse pancanadien 2012 (Canada-wide Youth Parliament), which takes place from Jan. 5-8.

Students take part in mock debates and parliamentary sessions in the House of Commons and meet politicians. About 100 francophone youth, between the age of 16 and 25, are taking part in this national event hosted by the Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française.

Participants will have the opportunity to establish friendships with francophone youth from across the country while becoming familiar with the Canadian Parliament and democracy, according to a press release.

Posted by Heidi Ulrichsen