THUNDER BAY – MP Bruce Hyer is inviting high school students from Northwestern Ontario to propose ideas for their own legislation, which he will introduce in Parliament. The MP launched the Create Your Canada contest today so that students in grades 10, 11, and 12, living or going to school in Thunder Bay–Superior North, could submit their ideas to be turned into federal bills or motions.
“If you’ve ever said ‘There should be a law for that!’ then this contest is for you.” said Hyer. “I am very pleased to launch the Create Your Canada contest today. It lets students learn about our institutions of government, while allowing them greater participation in our democracy and law-making process. In a very real way, the future of Canada belongs to them. They should get a chance to shape that future.”
A panel of judges will judge the best entries, which Hyer will then introduce as legislation in the House of Commons in Ottawa. The Member of Parliament is hopeful that teachers in the region will take this opportunity to help educate students about law, policy, and current issues, and get them more involved in Canadian civic society. A similar contest idea was originally initiated by Hyer’s fellow MP Nathan Cullen, and resulted in a number of bills introduced in Parliament.
“Too often, our youth feel disconnected from our political process.” noted Hyer “So we need to be creative in the ways we can involve them, and make democracy more relevant to young people. But the benefits of this contest won’t all go to our students. Young people have great ideas – ideas that can help improve Canada. They deserve to be heard and debated in Ottawa. By opening up the legislative process, parliamentarians will be exposed to fresh ideas and perspectives that are relevant to Canadians of all ages.”
The Thunder Bay-Superior North Create Your Canada contest ends June 25th. More information, including lesson plans for educators, is available at the contest website at: www.createyourcanada.ca