The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Committee of the Regional Association of West Quebecers organized a Regional Youth Conference, March 28 at Place des Pionniers in Aylmer.
The morning opened with a political panel discussion moderated by Brian Rock, the Chairman of the EYCS Committee. The panelists were Mathieu Ravignat, the New Democratic Party Member of Parliament for the riding of Pontiac; Caryl Green, Mayor of Chelsea; Sylvie Goneau, Gatineau Municipal Councillor; and James Shea, the Chairman of the Western Quebec School Board. The morning ended with a lively question and answer forum that raised many interesting issues and concerns. A buffet lunch was provided by Mike Duggan, Gatineau Councillor for Lucerne.
The afternoon began with a community involvement panel discussion moderated by Brian Rock. The panelists were Mara McCallum, Regional Co-ordinator of the Young Quebecers Leading the Way, who explained the Quebec Community Groups Network youth project; Audrey Bureau, Vice-President of the Forêt Boucher Foundation; Mike Duggan speaking about the Commission Jeunesse Gatineau; Dan Curley, a Secondary Teacher from D’Arcy McGee High School speaking about digital citizenship; Chloé Bureau of Enviro Educ-Action; and Robin McNeill of Generate U. The afternoon question and answer forum again allowed for many dynamic exchanges between the participants and the panelists.
The Regional Youth Conference closed with the presentation of Outstanding Youth Leadership Awards to Paulo Guedes, Gabriel Kim, and Arielle Richer of Heritage College, Caitlin Grady of CÉGEP de l’Outaouais, Ashlie Leclair and Erin Rousseau of Pontiac High School and Caroline Zamor of Philemon Wright High School. Crystal Gleason of Saint Michael’s High School was not present to receive her award.
A Special Outstanding Community Leadership Award was presented to Elizabeth ‘Dale’ Graham Richards of Heritage College, Pontiac Campus. Thanks are in order to André Fortin, Liberal Member of the National Assembly for the Riding of Pontiac for his generous contribution towards the Outstanding Leadership Awards. (LR)
