Ontario PC Youth Services Critic to Visit Brockville Friday

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Created on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 07:40

MPP JANE McKENNA TAKING PART IN YOUTH ROUNDTABLE FRIDAY

Brockville – MPP Jane McKenna (Burlington), the Ontario PC Critic for Children and Youth Services, will join Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark on Friday, November 16 to hear directly from young people in the area about what’s on their minds.

McKenna was invited to Brockville by city Councillor Leigh Bursey who, as part of council’s Youth Advisory Committee, is seeking a Youth Friendly Designation for Brockville.

The highlight of the events planned is a youth roundtable in the community room at the Brockville Public Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m. The forum is open to the public and Bursey joined MPPs Clark and McKenna in encouraging youth to come out and make their voices heard.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Brockville to meet with local young people,” said McKenna. “I hope to hear about the issues that are important to them and what we, as members of government, can do better to help them prepare for adulthood and independence. Children really are our future.”

Clark said it’s essential for elected officials to reach out to youth and engage them in a conversation.

“This is an important opportunity for MPP McKenna and I to hear first-hand from local youth what services matter to them and about why so many young people feel a disconnect with the political process,” said Clark. “I’m really excited about the conversation and looking forward to the great feedback I know we’re going to get.”

Bursey hosted the NDP’s Children and Youth Services Critic MPP Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain) in Brockville on Wednesday, November 14 and has also invited Minister Laurel Broten to the city.

“Our community is rich with eloquent, unique and profoundly intelligent youth who have stories to share and a voice to tell them with,” said Bursey.

“Jane’s visit, much like Monique’s visit, will help us to paint a picture for them of the challenges facing youth in Southeastern Ontario’s rural settings. Brockville is a unique city, and retaining and attracting young professionals is one of our strategic priorities – so let’s go to the source.”

Bursey added the support of MPPs Clark, McKenna and Taylor will provide a definite boost to the city’s quest for a Youth Friendly Designation through Play Works Ontario.

In addition to the youth roundtable, MPPs Clark and McKenna will tape a segment of Bursey’s Critical Thinking program on Cogeco Cable, visit a civics class at Thousand Islands Secondary School and meet with council’s Youth Advisory Committee.