David pictured with youth from his
constituency.
Let
your voice be heard! Tell us the good
things you are doing in the local community,
nationally and internationally!
'Youth
Voices' is a
newly added feature to the Kilgour
website. It is intended to
feature Edmonton-Beaumont youth in
action.
To
be considered for posting on this website
please send your story and photo in .jpg
format to kilgour@parl.gc.ca
with the subject 'Youth
Voices'
Two stories will be selected for publication
on Youth Voices per month.
We
also invite you to read this sampling of
articles, papers and speeches by David
Kilgour in his capacity as Member of
Parliament and Secretary of State to
audiences focused on Youth in Canada and the
World.
Getting
Youth Involved
The median
age of the residents in the Edmonton Census
Metropolitan area is 35,
the fifth
youngest in Canada. In fact, Alberta is the
youngest province in all of Canada.
Youth in
Alberta play an important role in shaping
the future of our province.
That is why
it is all the more important that they have
a chance to participate in the
political
process. In the last federal election, only
25% of young people aged 18-25
cast a
ballot. Over time, a similar pattern could
also have detrimental effects on the
health of
our democracy.
Getting
youth involved in politics requires more
than just trying to get them to vote.
They need
to feel that the process has room for their
thoughts, ideas and aspirations.
Programs
like Katimavik, the Cadets and the
Parliamentary Page Program are but a
first step
to re-engaging young people in Canada’s
political institutions. David supports
the work of
groups like “Student Vote 2004” and
“Canada25” who engage youth in
both the
political and public policy process. David
also speaks regularly with high school
and
university students to explain his role as
an MP and to encourage them to become
interested
and involved in elected public service.
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