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Young Francophones To Learn More About Municipal Politics
McGuinty Government Supports New Youth Initiative In Eastern And Northern Ontario
Browse the photos of the announcement at the AFMO conference
NEWS
September 16, 2009
Francophone students at four high schools will have the opportunity to get more involved in municipal politics and provide input on local issues this year.
Part of the province's Accent on Youth strategy, this new youth initiative, developed by the Office of Francophone Affairs through a partnership with the Association française des municipalités de l'Ontario (AFMO), is being piloted at schools in communities with large Francophone populations. It will help students develop awareness about the issues encountered by municipalities and the way city councillors resolve them.
Students will participate in activities such as:
- Mentorship and job shadowing with city councillors and city employees
- Workshops and mock debates on real municipal issues.
QUOTES
"In order to ensure that Francophone communities remain vibrant and dynamic, it is essential that our youth be engaged socially and politically at the local level. Our young people will soon be in charge of shaping Franco-Ontarian society and this initiative will give them the tools to carry this mission forward."
– Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
"This innovative initiative confirms that municipalities are a prime place for young people to get involved if they want to make a real difference in their communities."
– Jim Watson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
"This program will allow our youth to follow city councillors in their activities, observe decision-making processes and brainstorm ideas to improve their municipalities."
– Lorraine Dicaire, President of Ontario Association of Francophone Municipalities (AFMO).
QUICK FACTS
- Students at École secondaire catholique Embrun in Russell, l'Académie de la Seigneurie in Casselman, École secondaire publique in Kapusaksing and École secondaire catholique Cité des Jeunes in Kapuskasing can participate in this new initiative.
- The Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO), the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien (CSDCEO), the Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes Rivières (CSCDGR) and the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l'Ontario (CSDNE) are partners in this initiative.
- Francophones account for 46.4 per cent of the population in Russell, 68.9 per cent in Kapuskasing and 84.6 per cent in Casselman.
LEARN MORE
Find out about the AFMO
Discover Ontario's Accent On Youth strategy
Thomas Chanzy, Minister's Office, 416-325-5211
Charles Jean Sucsan, Communications Branch, 416-325-4968; Cell: 416-476-5223
