British Columbia Youth Parliament

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The BCYP Mace BCYP Mace.jpg
The BCYP Mace

The British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP) is a youth service organization that operates in the guise of a "parliament" in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The BCYP fulfills its motto of "Youth Serving Youth" by means of "legislation" enacting community service projects and other youth-oriented activities. The BCYP is the successor to the Older Boys' Parliament of British Columbia, which first met in 1924.

Contents

Annual session

Each year between December 27–31, youth aged 16 to 21 from across British Columbia gather in the Legislative Chambers of the B.C. Parliament Buildings in the capital city of Victoria for the BCYP annual session. Members sit as independents (i.e., they do not represent any political party) and vote according to their individual conscience on all issues. They learn about parliamentary process, debate topics of interest, and plan numerous activities for the upcoming year. Proposed activities, usually in the form of community service projects, are presented in the form of government bills; once passed they must be put into effect. This model differs from most other model (or "mock") youth parliaments in Canada; legislation passed by the membership is enacted by the organization through volunteer work in the community.

During the sittings of the BCYP during its December session, members of the BCYP (usually backbenchers) are given the opportunity to present "Private Members' Resolutions" (PMRs) for debate. These are usually on topics related to current events or other issues important to members and usually contain a provision for communicating the decision of the BCYP on that topic to the actual governmental authorities or other parties responsible for those issues. On occasion, a PMR on a whimsical topic is introduced.

Unlike a real parliamentary government, the BCYP "government" cannot fall if it loses a vote on what would otherwise be a vote of confidence, such as a money bill or a motion of non-confidence.

During the week that the BCYP meets in the Legislature, the members elect a new Premier, Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Speaker for the next legislative year.

On the last day of the annual sitting of the BCYP, a Prorogation ceremony is held. As part of the ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor (a person appointed by the Premier, usually a prominent person in the community) signs all approved bills into "law". After the December sittings, the members become the organization's own "civil service" and implement the community service projects legislated at the session. Legislation passed at the session is subject to review by the organization's Senate.

For most of the BCYP's history, the legislative year was referred to a "session"; however, in the mid-1990s the BCYP began referring to the annual session as a "parliament", in keeping with Parliamentary tradition.

Organizational structure

The BCYP models itself on the Westminster Parliamentary system. The BCYP is sponsored by the Youth Parliament of B.C. Alumni Association. In keeping with the parliamentary structure of the BCYP, the board of directors of the Alumni Association is referred to as the "Senate".

The BCYP itself is led by a cabinet appointed by the Premier-elect. The Premier-elect also appoints various other officers, such as a Lieutenant Governor, a Speaker, a Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and a Sergeant-At-Arms, among others. The legislative year for a Premier and their cabinet runs from September 15 to September 14 of the following year. The Premier and Cabinet plan the government's legislative plan and prepare the bills for consideration at the December sitting of the BCYP.

Members of the BCYP are not elected to the Youth Parliament. Instead, potential members apply for the limited number of available positions. Applicants must be nominated by an organization that supports youth activities (i.e., community, school, or church club or group). The applicants are then selected by a committee made up of representatives of the Senate and the BCYP cabinet. The selection committee attempts to ensure that all parts of the province are represented. This includes selecting at least one applicant from each of the real ridings for the actual provincial legislature (subject to there being an applicant from that riding). At the December sitting, all members will be assigned to a riding. Members who come from a riding that is over-represented (usually from one of the larger urban centres) may be assigned a riding from which no applications were submitted. Otherwise, some ridings may have two or more members.

"Legislated" projects and programs

General

The purpose of the Older Boys' Parliament (OBP) in its early years was to recommend changes and additions to the "Canadian Standards Efficiency Training" (CSET) programme (see History, below) and to promote Christian boys life. Its legislation usually consisted of recommendations made to the Boys' Work Board of British Columbia ("BWBBC") (see History, below) rather than its own programmes, and occasional resolutions on social issues (such as temperance and school curricula).

During the 1950s, the OBP began to develop a more service-oriented programme run by its own members rather than working with programmes run by other organizations (the exception to this being camps). Projects included annual hobby shows, athletic competitions, leadership training programmes, and work with disabled youth.

The OBP's social service programme expanded in the 1960s, with more work with disabled people, delinquent boys, book drives, and food drives. The OBP's project for Canada's Centennial was to help finance and build a church and meeting hall on a Nitinagt Indian Reserve on Vancouver Island.

In 1981, the BCYP funded and constructed a playground for children living at Skeena Terrace, a provincially sponsored subsidized housing project at Cassiar and Broadway in Vancouver.

In the 1980s, the Youth Parliament projects expanded to include educational workshops, youth oriented conferences, and the Regional Youth Parliament (RYP) program. Projects introduced in the 2000s include summer youth festivals and essay contests. In 2005, the BCYP established a youth conference known as "The Stand".

Observers program

In 1959 the OBP created the Observers Program. The purpose of this program was to give potential members an idea of what OBP did before joining, to provide a "sounding board" to members for feedback, and as a means of reducing high turnover in OBP as becoming a member would become something to work for above observer status. Observers, aged 15 to 16, attended the entire session, and took part in all activities except sitting in the Legislative Chambers. The Observer program ended in 1973, at which time the Older Boys' Parliament became the Youth Parliament.

Camp Phoenix

While camping had been a steady part of the OBP program since its inception, the OBP had always participated in the operation of camps run by other organizations, but never its own. This changed in December 1967 when the 37th Session legislated Camp Phoenix. That first Camp Phoenix was held at Camp George Pringle in the summer of 1968, with 36 underprivileged and disabled boys in attendance.

Camp Phoenix expanded over the decades to serve both boys and girls. For a number of years, Camp Phoenix was held in August every year, often at a different location in British Columbia each year. Camp Phoenix was funded and organized by the BCYP members, with a few key positions at the camp itself (such as medical staff and camp director) held by alumni or other adults. From the first camp through 2010, approximately 1500 children attended Camp Phoenix. In 2011, BCYP decided not to hold Camp Phoenix. During 2014, BCYP operated an afternoon day-camp program as a potential replacement for Camp Phoenix, known as "Project Phoenix." At the 86th Session in December 2014, BCYP re-established the Ministry of Project Phoenix to formally oversee the new program, called "Project Phoenix". Based upon the success of Project Phoenix, at the 87th Session in December 2015, the BCYP re-established the Ministry of Camp Phoenix and the membership passed legislation enabling Camp Phoenix. Camp Phoenix occurred in August 2016 at Deep Cove, British Columbia.

Regional Youth Parliaments

In 1937, in an attempt to expand the number of people that could be involved, the OBP experimented by attempting to hold three separate parliaments around the province, instead of the one in Victoria. As a result of the hiatus during World War II, and the effort to rebuild the OBP in the late 1940s, no real thought was given to regional parliaments until the 1960s. During the late 1960s, into 1970, the Older Boys' Parliament made efforts to establish a regional program, but a program of regional parliaments never came to fruition.

The current form of the RYPs originated in 1987, when a pilot RYP was held in Creston, British Columbia for the Kootenay region. Legislation formally establishing a RYP program was introduced at the 60th Session in 1989. As before, a primary goal of the RYP program was to increase the number of young people who could participate in the BCYP. Since then, RYPs have been established throughout the province. The oldest RYP currently in existence is the Vancouver Youth Parliament, which has run without interruption since 1988. While a number of the early RYPs are defunct, the current Regional Youth Parliaments include:

History

Origin

Like most other Youth Parliaments in Canada, the BCYP has its origins in the "boys work" movement of the YMCA of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Boys' work" was meant to answer the need for activities for young men who worked by day but were idle by night. Various programs came and went, often incorporating a dominant YMCA philosophy of the "four-fold" development of the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of the person, based upon Luke 2:52: "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Unofficial Coat of Arms of the BCYP BCYP Arms.jpg
Unofficial Coat of Arms of the BCYP

Taylor Statten, a Boer War recruit who joined the YMCA as a means of continuing his physical fitness activities upon military discharge, was driven by his ambition to design a proper boys' work program with the Toronto YMCA, attending various national boys conferences. In 1912, Statten became the Boys' Work Secretary on the national YMCA executive. Borrowing from both Canadian and American YMCA programs, and aspects of the Boy Scouts, Statten established the "Canadian Standards Efficiency Training" program, a system of graded tests where boys passed from one level to the next. These standards were borrowed from the "four-fold" philosophy.

Under the CSET program came the Trail Rangers (boys 12 - 14) and TUXIS (ages 15 – 17). A similar program for girls known as the Canadian Girls in Training were formed a number of years later. The popularity of the CSET program was such that boys' work soon became a virtually separate movement within the YMCA

In 1916 Statten embarked on a "Coast to Coast Tour" to promote the CSET program, which included a stop in Vancouver. It was on this tour that Statten first envisioned a national boys conference, modelled on various regional conferences promoting boys' work. Statten believed in letting the boys determine their own priorities, and his idea soon developed into the concept of a boys' Parliament. However, the National Boys' Work Board considered this beyond their capability, at least during the Great War, which was being waged at the time. Fortunately, the Ontario BWB was interested, and Statten organized the first Ontario TUXIS & Older Boys' Parliament in 1917.

Due to the program's success, Statten encouraged the involvement of the churches, in order to reach even more boys in Canada. Various Protestant churches became involved, and a National Boys' Work Board was established with an executive body made up of YMCA and church representatives. In 1921 an independent Boys' Work Board was established, as the YMCA preferred to take a lesser role in a movement that was diverting too much attention and resources from other Y programs.

Early years to World War II

The first Older Boys' Parliament of British Columbia was held in January 1924. The Premier was Walter S. Owen, who later became the Lieutenant Governor of B.C. (1973–1978). The new organization was donated its mace, which is still used today, by St. Andrews Presbyterian (now the United Church), where Owen's TUXIS group met.

During the Great Depression, a number of serious issues faced the OBP. These included lower financial resources. The OBP's ability to use the Legislative Chambers of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the capital city of Victoria was threatened by those offended by the OBP allowing Asian members to attend. Before World War II, the OBP decided to experiment with holding its session outside of Victoria. A proposed session under this plan in New Westminster in 1937 had to be cancelled. Another planned experiment was to hold the OBP biannually, with regional Parliaments in alternate years. It is certain this practice would have continued were it not for the occurrence of World War II.

Post World War II to the end of the OBP era

While the 15th Session in 1939 prorogued with full intention of holding a Session in 1940, the OBP did not meet during World War II. By war's end, the TUXIS movement had diminished and the National Boys' Work Board was in a weak state of affairs. It took the Boys' Work Secretary for the United Church, Rev. Robert McLaren, to revive the OBP. Through his efforts, the pre-war partners who sponsored Parliament (Protestant churches and YMCA) joined forces to establish a Parliamentary Convention in Vancouver to rebuild the organization. It is in this period where the United Church began to have its greatest influence on the OBP.

Delegates from around B.C. attended this conference, which expanded to include representatives of other boys' groups such as Scouts and the Boys' Brigade. This expansion of OBP's base encouraged the boys to debate expanding its membership to include all religious denominations and boys' groups in the OBP and truly become a representative Parliament. This movement this was effectively quashed by McLaren and other church leaders.

The 1940s were an unstable period for the OBP, with a "senate" (as its sponsoring organization was called) existing in name only and a weak premier who had to be replaced soon after the 16th Session. Key alumni and strong premiers with good cabinets carried the OBP through the late 1940s when a proper "Senate" and well founded Parliament were established.

It was during this period that the OBP was held in Vancouver. Only one session between 1945 and 1955 sat in the provincial legislature. Despite invitations from the government, organizers found it easier to plan sessions for the fledgling parliament in Vancouver, usually at the University of British Columbia in Union College (now the Vancouver School of Theology) or the U.B.C. Law School Building.

Transition to BCYP

Since the 5th Session of the OBP, resolutions had been introduced to admit girls as members. By the 1960s the Canadian Girls in Training efforts to participate in the Older Boys' Parliament were taken up by the media, spearheaded by the Victoria Times newspaper columnist Elizabeth Forbes. By the late 1960s the issue was being taken more seriously by the OBP, but there was strong opposition from the "Senate", which vetoed a resolution passed by the OBP in 1971 to allow girls to join. Some of the "Older Boys" who opposed admitting women went as far as to organize a separate "Older Girls' Parliament" to meet during the Easter break.

At this same time, there was a movement to expand the constituent membership of the Boys' Parliament beyond the select churches providing members at the time. For example, by the late 1960s, there had been Lutheran, Jewish, and Catholic members of the OBP. These boys qualified for membership in the OBP by associating themselves with youth groups connected to the sponsoring organizations of the OBP.

With the election of the New Democratic Party under Dave Barrett in the 1972 provincial election, pressure came from the provincial government to open the membership of the Boys' Parliament to all or face losing the use of the legislative buildings. Thus the B.C. Youth Parliament came into being for the 44th Session in 1974. [1] [2] The new organization was non-denominational and membership was open to boys and girls. The first female Premier was Susan Hunter of the 49th Session in 1977.

As a part of the re-organization in 1974, the Youth Parliament of B.C. Alumni Association was formed and acts as the BCYP's "Senate". The Senate ensures a session is held annually, reviews the legislation passed by the Youth Parliament, and when necessary assists the Youth Parliament in its community service programs and other events.

To the present

Developments in the 1980s saw Taylor Statten's dreams of 1916 come to fruition with the formation of the Youth Parliament of Canada in 1980. The Western Canada Youth Parliament (WCYP) was also formed during this time period. While the Youth Parliament of Canada has since collapsed, after seven sessions over ten years, the WCYP continues on a bi-annual basis.

A key event in BCYP history was the "Vernon Conference" held in 1985. The BCYP organized and hosted this youth conference to celebrate the United Nations International Year of the Youth. Members of the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta (since renamed as the Alberta Youth Parliament) and the Junior Statesmen of America (now the Junior State of America were invited to participate. This conference was a new concept for the BCYP. It provided the BCYP with the experience and inspiration to attempt new projects beyond community service projects and camps. More and larger projects, such as RYPs, were possible.

In the 1990s, with increasing costs of running BCYP's annual Session and holding Camp Phoenix, both the Senate and Youth Parliament became increasingly concerned with fundraising and the long-term financial health of the organization. Starting with a $5,000 bequest from Walter S. Owen, the Senate instituted a fundraising campaign between 1991 and 1993. The campaign raised $75,000 in donations from alumni, service organizations, and corporations. The Vancouver Foundation matched that amount, to establish the Walter S. Owen Fund.

At that same time, the BCYP undertook new fundraising initiatives, such as holding a dinner-dance and "Dream Auction" in 1992. The auction subsequently evolved through various formats, to become a major annual fundraising event for Youth Parliament.

House leaders and award winners

SessionYearPremierLeader of the OppositionDeputy SpeakerLieutenant GovernorSpeakerClerk of the HouseDonald Fergus Paynter Memorial Award for Leadership RecipientFisi Award for Service RecipientParliamentarian of the Year AwardInspiring New Member Award RecipientBond Shield RecipientJulie Jackson Alumni Society Award Recipient

Notes

1Jan. 1924 Walter S. Owen A.E. RobertsHeber Noble
2Dec. 1924Walter S. OwenF.A. PaulineAurthur HowarthCharles G. Keen
31925W.J. BellJ.D. MacLeanRobert WallaceN. Wattson Spinks
41926Roger FooteH.T.J. Coleman Jack Shadbolt Bert Berttie
51927Leslie J. WagnerGordon SwitzerA.H. MansonArchie RussellJ. Beattie MacLean
61928Robert C. Rolston S.F. Tolmie Irvine DawsonJ. Beattie MacLean
71929Irvine DawsonScott McLarenW.C. ShellyDugald MorrisonKenneth M. Beckett
81930Jake DieldalGordon FieldsS.L. HoweScott McLarenIrvine Dawson
91931Cameron GorriGordon FieldsArnold SimpsonL.B. ElliotCharles McLeodIrvine Dawson
101932Jim FerrisRobert McMasterGeorge L. Connell Joshua Hinchcliffe Charles McLeodRobert T. Wallace
111933Robert McMasterJohn WindebankA. Wright George M. Weir Lyle TurveyR. Ormond Marrion
121934John WindebankLyle TurveyF.M. McPhersonLeonard Martin
131935Bruce McLaganArt Wright David Leeming Ernest Alexander
141936Ernie AlexanderJack EwanF.M. McPhersonBeresford MenaghRoy Holmes
151938Jack EwanDarrell BraidwoodOscar HansonWalter OwenWilliam Edward McBrideWordie HetheringtonIn 1939, three Regional Youth Parliaments occurred in Vancouver, New Westminster, and the Kootenays. There was a short hiatus, until the Parliamentary Convention of 1945.
Vancouver 1939Rob CrosbyFred DownerW.G. MurrinDon Hay
New Westminster 1939Penn McLeodAllan WinsladeJudge HowieBob McMillan
Kootenays 1939Albert NicholasHarold MayoFrank PutnamTed McBride
1945Parliamentary Convention
161946Archie MacaulayOliver HowardGrant Bracewell N.A.M. MacKenzie/G.F. CurtisCharles McLeodOliver Howard
171947Ray WoollamOliver HowardLloyd SchoopN.A.M. MacKenzie/G.F. Curtis Grant BracewellJack Ewen
181948Oliver HowardRobert WallaceG.F. CurtisThomas BulmanRayburn McColl
191949Robert WallaceWilliam NeenWalter H. MulliganRobert BrydonOliver Howard
201950William NeenGeorge SearcyH.C. GreenRobert BrydonOliver Howard
211951R. Bruce BennettAlbert PlantWalter H. MulliganHoward McDiarmidWilliam Neen
221952Albert PlantLyle Robertson Sherwood Lett Howard McDiarmidJ. Robert Brydon
231953Howard McDiarmidTerrance Westgate Angus MacInnis Lyle RobertsonMaurice D. Copithorne
241954Terrance WestgateDouglas NormanJohn WrightReg. T. RoseKen LambJ. Robert Brydon
251955Douglas NormanDerek FraserWilliam J. BellKen LambJ. Hadden GregoryAfter a ten-year absence (with one exception), the O.B.P.B.C. returns to holding its annual session in the Parliament Buildings in Victoria.
261956Douglas NormanDerek FraserDonald RobertsonWalter OwenJohn WrightG.E. Bonney
271957Peter RolstonDonald RobertsonAlister FraserWillard IrelandJohn GoodwinJ.H. Wright
281958Donald RobertsonJohn GoodwinBarry GoodwinE.N.C. McAmmondStannard TooleG.E. BonneyObserver Programme created.
291959Michael SinclairWilliam MacDonaldFrank ShoemakerDean B.W. WhitlowBarry GoodwinGordon MacGillvray
301960William MacDonaldBarry GoodwinJohn CurtisM.D. YoungFrank ShoemakerGordon MacGillvray
311961Kenneth JensenRick HiggsSteve HetheringtonM.D. YoungJohn CurtisHarry Ratclift
321962Scott Van AlstineRick HiggsEd NicholsonWilliam J. RoseSteve HeateringtonFrank Shoemaker
331963Rick HiggsCurrie GrassW.S. TaylorEd NicholsonBlair DunbarScott Van Alstine
341964Currie GrassEd NicholsonDonald PaynterWilliam OwenDavid WallaceFrank ShoemakerJohn Morton
351965John MortonBrian SmithJim CookeHarry LennoxDonald F. PaynterEd O'Brian
361966Donald PaynterCam EllisJohn MortonJ.H. AllenJames CookRichard MillerRobert McDermid
371967Edward O'BrienCraig RothwellDennis HuttonWillard E. IrelandJoseph PaynterJohn MortonJim MannCamp Phoenix created.
381968Joseph PaynterJames LaneRobert LaRoyE.M. NicholsJames MannEdward JonesIan MacKenzie
391969Robin RichardsonJames W. MannGordon TaylorWalter S. OwenCyril ChalkJoseph PaynterJames W. Mann
401970Gordon TaylorRobert HallDavid L. NorthR. Victor HenningCurrie GrassMichael Hare
411971David NorthMark MitchellDavid MacLeodCharles M. MacLeodG. Leigh HarrisonBill SaffinGeorge E.H. CadmanAllan Bryce
421972George CadmanDon MacLeodMichael HareDugald J. MorrisonCyril ChalkIan MacLeodTom NoortBob Laing
431973Robert WestonAlan WingDonald MacLeodE.K. DeBeckRobin RichardsonIan MacLeodAndy StarkBob LaingLast session as the "Older Boys' Parliament" and last year for the Observers Programme.
441974Alan Wing [1] Kent Campbell Robert Slade Elizabeth Forbes

(Kathleen Ruff, head of the B.C. Human Rights Commission, had originally been appointed to act as L.G.) [1]
Cyril ChalkIan MacLeodDave WilsonFirst session as the "B.C. Youth Parliament". Female members were admitted for the first time; as well, the organization became non-denominational and a primarily secular organization.
451975Alan WingDave LovelySteven HowellHoward E. PetchJames MannIan MacLeodChristine EidtChristine Eidt
47 [3] 1976Dave WilsonTom BarichelloAxel ShoeberMrs. (Shirley) W.S. OwenRobert WestonIan MacLeodAxel Schoeber,

Karen Hawkins

49 [4] 1977Susan HunterChamkaur CheemaKevin PaulMaurice YoungSteve HowellAlan WingDuncan FergusonFirst session with a female Premier.
501978John MoonenKevin PaulDuncan Ferguson Mrs. (Nancy) H.P Bell-Irving Cyril ChalkDave LovelyDuncan Ferguson
511979Kevin WellsAnthony GurrGordon Paul Dr. G. Scott Wallace George CadmanDave Lovely Linda Reid Ralph Wong
521980Linda ReidDavid MartinCarolyn CravenAlbert E. KingGeorge CadmanStephen HowellRalph Wong
531981David MartinDaniel W. BurnettMargaret GillattVivian ShoemakerRobert WestonChristine EidtJames FraserSarah Sutherland
541982James FraserSharon SutherlandCarin HolroydJames MannSteve HowellRoger HodginsCarin HolroydSarah HopperFirst session with a female Leader of the Opposition.
551983Colin HansonTom FettorChris McElroyCharles BarberLinda ReidMaggie GillattCathy LewFirst session with a woman serving as Speaker.
561984Susan DentH. William VeenstraPeggy KempFrank ShoemakerDaniel W. BurnettColin HansonCarin Holroyd
571985H. William VeenstraPaul SchwartzSarah BonnerAllan MacKinnonDave WilsonDaniel BurnettKaren SommerBruce Hallsor
581986Catherine BirchKenneth SmithBrenda McGuireJ. Michael RobertsChris McElroyDaniel BurnettBruce Hallsor
591987R. Bruce HallsorJohann BedaIan MartinJ. Michael RobertsColin HansonSusan DentDean CrawfordSharon Pratt
601988Sean D. VanderfluitDean CrawfordBruce HallsorRichard NicolSusan Veenstra (née Dent)Bill VeenstraMonica McParlandMonica McParland,

Sharon Pratt

611989Dean A. CrawfordDavid R. BaxterGraham CoveHubert BeyerH. William VeenstraSusan Veenstra (née Dent)Sharon Pratt
621990Kenneth A. DonohueJason K. HebertGeorge NastStuart HodgsonRobert K. MacDonaldGeoffrey J. GlaveSharon Hallsor (née Pratt)
631991Erin J. LemonGeorge M. McWhinnieJoel Freedman Stephen Owen James FraserGeoffrey J. GlaveLara C. RookeSean Sookochoff,

Steve Wellburn

641992Jonathan N.A. WandElisabeth Van AssumL. Andrew Olsen Susan Brice Sean D. VanderfluitRhonda L. VanderfluitPatricia Lang,

Drew Olsen

Claire GilbertJason Herbert
651993Kerry L. SimmonsChilwin C. ChengVictor TuomiJ. Parker MacCarthySharon M.E. Hallsor (née Pratt)Rhonda L. Herbert (née Vanderfluit)Craig BellCynthia Johansen
66 [5] 1994Solomon WongKaren LeeMelanie Stapleton Val J. Anderson R. Bruce E. HallsorJason K. HerbertTrinh PhamAllan Ng
671995Peter StevensKarin YeungChristina LunelliJim NielsenL. Andrew OlsenKerry L. SimmonSolomon WongChantal BroughtonTrinh Pham
681996Karin YeungShane ThomasMark Ian KarjaluotoLinda Reid Russell S. Brown Craig BellTrinh PhamTrevor FranklinMark Ian Karjaluoto
691997Sang-Kiet LyShannon SalterJenn JayVaughn PalmerVictor TuomiBeatrice McCutcheon,

Shane Thomas

Ryan StewartNegin MirriahiJack Tsai
701998Katie LongworthRyan K. StewartKristi V.M. Cave Hugh Curtis Chilwin C. ChengAudrey WangMiranda LamSarah BuydensJeff TownJeff Town
711999Robyn MarshallJocelyn R. FungMiranda LamLes LeyneSolomon WongAudrey WangAniz AlaniSusie da SilvaJeff TownFirst session with all three house leader positions held by women.
722000Negin MirriahiSam SchechterPaul BrowningSue FounierDean CrawfordSang-Kiet LyRobyn MarshallMichelle Babiuk,

Lindsay McCray

Rachelle YongYuk-Sing Cheng
732001Aniz AlaniGerald TaftSwithin D'SouzaDaniel W. BurnettRhonda L. VanderfluitAshley MortonSusie da SilvaSusie da SilvaJulia LockhartKatrina Wang
742002Chris LamAniz AlaniSanyee Chen Art Cowie Jason K. HerbertRhonda L. VanderfluitJulia K. LockhartNicole StewartCaitlin TomJack Diep
752003Yuk-Sing ChengKristin FungDanica WongElizabeth Rowles ScottSang-Kiet LyAlan C.L. IpAniz AlaniEmilie-Anne PaulElizabeth TribeWilliam Chow
762004Dorothy WongVictor MungDora E. TurjeRalph HembruffMark Ian KarjaluotoAlan C.L. IpDora E. TurjeDustin FuhsNitsa DocolasJulia Lockhart
772005Emilie-Anne PaulEdward WangJulia K. Lockhart Ida Chong Swithin D'SouzaAniz AlaniEmilie-Anne PaulCarley KennedyPenelope ChuaShazan Jiwa
782006Travis WongJason LiuEmilie-Anne PaulHerb LeroyAlan IpDorothy WangJulia K. LockhartLaurel HoggSusie BowlesJulia Lockhart
792007Laurel HoggPenny ChuaJeremy McElroyMay Lou-PoyKerry L. SimmonDora TurjeTyler AllisonRosie PidcockEmilie-Anne Paul
802008Tyler AllisonJeremy McElroyPaula BurrowsRobert WicksChris McElroyDora TurjeSasa PudarGordon HallAlden Chow
812009Sasa PudarSusie BowlesOriana CamporeseWilliam WellburnJason K. HerbertVictor MungKaren RatchfordMichael ThejomayenAlden Chow
822010Karen RatchfordJosh HallSusie BowlesCharley BeresfordChris McElroyDanica WongEmily GageMichael McDonaldJeff Wilson
832011Jessica McElroyRyan WeiEmily GageLinda ReidDora TurjeKaren RatchfordNicole BerthelotSusie Bowles
842012Sarah O'ConnorAlexandra DicksonAmbrose YungIda ChongAniz AlaniDanica WongAlexandra DicksonMadeline GallardFatima Al-FahimLinda Reid,

Kerry Simmons

852013Ambrose YungNathan HowDarya AliLinda ReidGavin HoekstraDanica WongAmbrose YungNathan HowMackenzie Lockhart,

Tony Zhao

Rachael VeySarah Bonner
862014Darya AliJason ZhouNathan HowLinda ReidJenn JayDanica WongDarya AliTony ZhouMorgan WeirAmbrose YungDan Burnett
872015Nathan HowSky LosierSisi ZhouKerry L. SimmonsJeremy McElroyDora TurjeChris CoulsonSheridan HawseJacob NoseworthyRhonda Vanderfluit
882016Chris CoulsonSheridan HawseAngus LockhartSusan HunterLinda ReidAmbrose YungCallista RyanEmily Proskiw,

Victoria Sukra

Gordon MasonJim Mann
892017Sky LosierCallista RyanSheridan Hawse Darryl Plecas James FraserAmbrose YungSky LosierBrendan LiawSophie SacilottoFelix SoheiliJenn Jay
902018Sheridan HawseAlex FraserBrendan Liaw Richard Zussman Dora TurjeAmbrose YungVictoria RitchieKishoore RamanathanAngus LockhartJulie Jackson
912019Ranil PrasadRhett MutschkeSemiah MarquardKate Ryan-LloydArtour SogomonianAmbrose YungJessana AkehurstJames KrauseAdriana Thom
922020Adriana ThomJustin KulikJoseph Chien Bonnie Henry Artour SogomonianAmbrose YungRanil Prasad, Kishoore RamanathanAislinn DresslerAcacia LeeDora TurjeSession occurred online by videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [6]
932021Kishoore RamanathanKarina Valcke-BecketAmelia Brooker Grace Lore Rhonda VanderfluitAmbrose YungMarika Leigh LopezZara Herbert, Christina KimAnna Hulbert, Maryam AboukhatwaJessana AkehurstSession occurred online by videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [7]
942022Abby HeadNathan ChangJessana AkehurstHugh William VeenstraMackenzie LockhartAmbrose YungPrabhnoor SidhuAnna Hulbert, Karina Valcke-BeckettIsabella HarmelIsabella HarmelSky Losier
952023Megan-Ryan LloydSamuel LeeFelix MannAngus LockhartAmbrose YungAbby HeadTommy XuAdrianne ChowBrielle Tran, Kevin NicklinBrielle Tran
962024Annie NguyenPuneet HundalIsabella Harmel
SessionYearPremierLeader of the OppositionDeputy SpeakerLieutenant GovernorSpeakerClerk of the HouseDonald Fergus Paynter Memorial Award for Leadership RecipientFisi Award for Service RecipientParliamentarian of the Year AwardInspiring New Member Award RecipientBond Shield RecipientJulie Jackson Alumni Society Award Recipient

Notes

Notable alumni

Linda Bauld, Professor at the University of Edinburgh
Robert Bonner, Attorney General of British Columbia (1952-1968)
Russell Brown, Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada [8]
• Daniel Burnett, KC, Media Lawyer
• Susana da Silva, CBC Video Journalist
Jack Davis, politician
Stephen Doughty, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom for Cardiff South and Penarth
• Ted Field, reporter and assignment editor, Global BC
Allan Fotheringham, news reporter and journalist
• Lloyd McKenzie, Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (1974-1993); Information Officer for the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court (1993-2003)
• Monica McParland, Judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia
• Jim Mann, Dementia activist, 2020 UBC Honorary Doctor of Laws recipient [9]
Eric Nicol, writer
Walter Stewart Owen, 22nd Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Linda Reid, 37th Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
• Shannon Salter, former Chair of the British Columbia Civil Resolution Tribunal and Deputy Attorney General of British Columbia. [10]
Jack Shadbolt, artist
• Kerry L. Simmons, KC, Past National President, Canadian Bar Association
• Hugh William Veenstra, Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia [11]
Ray Williston, Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (1953–1972)

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youth Parliament of Manitoba</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Canada Youth Parliament</span>

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TUXIS was a boys' program similar to the Scouting movement promoted by Canadian Protestant churches. There are a number of variations of what the acronym TUXIS is said to stand for. Most commonly, it is said to stand for "U ('you') and I in Training and Service with Christ in the centre". Another similar meaning was Training Under Christ In Service.

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David Zirnhelt is a Canadian politician, businessman and rancher from British Columbia. A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Cariboo and Cariboo South from 1989 to 2001, and served in the cabinets of premiers Mike Harcourt, Glen Clark, Dan Miller and Ujjal Dosanjh.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Parliament (NLYP) is one of a number of provincial youth model parliaments across Canada.

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Graeme Bowbrick is a Canadian lawyer, educator and former politician. A faculty member in the criminology department at Simon Fraser University, he previously represented the riding of New Westminster in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1996 to 2001. As part of the British Columbia New Democratic Party caucus, he served as Minister of Advanced Education in 2000, and Attorney General from 2000 to 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Petter</span> Canadian politician

Andrew J. Petter is a former academic and provincial politician in British Columbia, Canada. He represented the electoral district of Saanich South in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1991 to 2001. A member of the British Columbia New Democratic Party caucus, he served in various cabinet posts under premiers Mike Harcourt, Glen Clark, Dan Miller and Ujjal Dosanjh, including as Attorney General of British Columbia from February to November 2000.

The Prince Edward Island Older Boys' Parliament was a youth model parliament for boys aged 16 to 21 in the province of Prince Edward Island established in 1955. Like most of the provincial youth parliaments in Canada, the PEIOBP was established in conjunction with the provincial Boys’ Work Board, a primarily Christian-based organization consisting of various Protestant churches and related organizations. Prior to the establishment of the PEIOBP, delegates from the province would attend the Maritime Youth Parliament.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Another First for B.C. girls". The Province . 17 Dec 1974. p. 9.
  2. "B.C. boys reject separatism move". The StarPhoenix . 29 Dec 1973. p. 18.
  3. The Sessions held in 1976 and 1977 were numbered 47th and 49th respectively, in order to compensate for the regional parliaments held in 1939 and for the Parliamentary Convention held in 1945.
  4. The Sessions held in 1976 and 1977 were numbered 47th and 49th respectively, in order to compensate for the regional parliaments held in 1939 and for the Parliamentary Convention held in 1945.
  5. Referred to as "66th Parliament" as of January 1, 1995.
  6. Valerie Leung (2020-12-27). "B.C. Youth Parliament takes to virtual gathering, debate plans persist". Richmond News. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  7. "BC Youth Parliament goes virtual for second year in a row". Saanich News. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
  8. staff (1983-03-02). "Student tries hand at politics". Lake District News. p. 10.
  9. "2020 Honorary Degree Recipients | Graduation at UBC".
  10. Rob Shaw (2022-02-03). "From selfies to thrifting: BC's new top lawyer marks a "generational shift" for the province". Daily Hive. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  11. "Government of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of British Columbia".