Skip to content

BC Youth Parliament goes virtual for second year in a row

The Omicron variant changed plans to hold the session at the Legislative Assembly
27645426_web1_180710-KWS-M-BC-Legislative-Assembly-Chamber
British Columbia Youth Parliament had been planning on sitting in chambers, but instead will be meeting virtually. (Black Press File).

The B.C. Youth Parliament (BCYP) is in session. From Dec. 27-31, youth aged between 16 and 21 will be meeting virtually to learn more about parliamentary procedure and public service.

The Omicron variant scuppered plans to meet in person at the Legislative Assembly in Victoria, with the event instead shifting to virtual for the second year in a row.

“While we are disappointed to not be gathering in the BC Legislature, we are committed to providing a positive experience for our members and charting our plans for the year ahead,” Kishoore Ramanthan, premier of the youth parliament, said in a statement.

Unlike its adult counterpart, the youth parliament is nonpartisan, with each member acting as an independent member with all votes being free votes.

The organization was founded in 1924 and has been meeting every year between Christmas and New Year to debate projects and plans for the upcoming year.

Projects the organization runs include Regional Youth Parliaments to teach high school students about parliamentary democracy and Camp Phoenix, a sleep-away summer camp for kids who would not otherwise be able to attend summer camp.

Plans for new projects are debated and passed as legislation during the session.

READ MORE: Large life lessons abound in first-time Victoria author’s new book


@moreton_bailey


bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.