St. Gregory students tour Parliament Hill in MP Ellis’ new youth program

St. Gregory school students from Picton with MP Neil Ellis as the MPs first visitors in his new Youth Engagement Program.

Students at St. Gregory’s elementary school were participants in Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis’ new Youth Engagement Program.

His initiative is designed to give local students an opportunity to travel to Ottawa and tour Parliament Hill with their local Member of Parliament at no cost.

“What I am proposing really mirrors this government’s commitment to youth engagement,” said Ellis. “Not only are they our future leaders, they are our best hope for the future. This is why it is important that we look for new ways to inspire and engage young people.”

The program gives students a chance to see democracy at work and witness it first-hand.

“Each year, I will be extending the invitation to all local schools to join me on Parliament Hill for the day as part of my youth engagement strategy. In addition, I will ensure one of these school trips, selected at random, will be fully funded to make this opportunity available to as many school communities as possible”.

The inaugural group of students that recently travelled to Ottawa was Ms. Julia Doucett-Baker’s Grade 4/5 class from St Gregory Catholic School in Picton. Their trip was funded by Ellis and included a full tour of Parliament Hill with him.

“It is important we hear all voices. When students visit Parliament Hill, it gives me an opportunity to listen to the stories, opinions and ideas of these bright young minds,” said Ellis. “My hope is this program will spark their interest in politics, and trigger meaningful conversations about democracy and the importance of civic participation.”

Ellis notes that over the years, there have been growing concerns about the disenfranchisement of young people from the political process. The goal of the program is to help ignite the civic passion of area students.

For more information on the program, contact:
Neil Ellis
Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte
100 Station Street, Belleville, ON K8N 2S5 – 613-969-3300