SRSS student presses city for youth council

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This article was published 13/09/2017 (2387 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If the president of the Steinbach Regional Secondary School student council has his way, youth in Steinbach will have a voice not only at the school but in the community as a whole.

Spencer Teetaert appeared before city council while they sat in committee on Tuesday to talk about the idea of creating a youth council to give input on local issues and municipal politics.

A recent trip to Ottawa spurred the Grade 12 student’s vision, after he met with other youth from across the country some of whom are engaged in similar political efforts in their hometowns.

GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON
SRSS student council president Spencer Teetaert pitched a new political role for city youth on Tuesday night as he asked Steinbach city council to consider establishing a youth council in the city.
GRANT BURR | THE CARILLON SRSS student council president Spencer Teetaert pitched a new political role for city youth on Tuesday night as he asked Steinbach city council to consider establishing a youth council in the city.

“It gives them a chance to dive into politics at a young age,” he told councillors.

Though the concept is uncommon in Manitoba, Teetaert noted that some other provinces have many youth councils in local municipalities.

“We’d be leading the pack here,” he suggested.

He said in practice councils can vary in size and said he believed 10 to 15 youth council members would be an optimal amount. Councils receive operating funding through their municipality which could, he said, be used at the youth council’s discretion to organize events and activities. Fundraisers and other donations could add to the council’s revenue stream.

Teetaert said he envisioned the age of eligibility for council membership would range from age 14 to 24. Selections could be made through open applications and interview process, or through nominations and a vote.

Councillor members praised Teetaert well-prepared presentation but weren’t signing off on the idea yet. Deputy mayor John Fehr, who chaired the meeting, said council would review Teetaert’s request during their upcoming study session.

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