On April 8th, a group of well-informed and passionate young people gathered at the Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Constituency Office as part of the Defend Our Future BC Day of Action on Climate Change. This was one of 23 meetings organized at MLA offices in 12 cities across BC. The purpose of the meeting was for the youth to express their opposition to the expansion of thermal coal exports from BC. They voiced their concern about the Port Metro Vancouver proposal to increase exports of American thermal coal through the Fraser-Surrey Docks coal transfer facility and through the Texada Island facility by 8 million tons annually and the risk to the health and well-being of communities in proximity to rail lines, port facilities and power plants.

Each of the youth in attendance spoke about why they came to the meeting and how they expect their elected leaders to defend their future. They spoke of the need to reduce the use of thermal coal as a means of producing electricity and the need to develop renewable energy sources to mitigate global climate change. It was inspiring to hear from these young people as they led the dialogue about issues that matter to them, their future and the future for generations to come.

Vancouver Island Youth aged 14 to 18 are invited to apply to attend the 23rd Vancouver Island Youth Parliament (VIYP), sponsored by the British Columbia Youth Parliament. This year, VIYP will be hosted by Gulf Islands Secondary School on beautiful Salt Spring Island.

The VIYP gives youth in our community an opportunity to learn about parliamentary procedures, debate Private Members Resolutions and build friendships by connecting with other youth who are passionate about our democracy and the critical issues that we face in society. In addition, VIYP intends to further its presence in the community by becoming more involved in service projects throughout the region.

VIYP is a non-profit, non-partisan youth organization that recognizes every young person’s potential to lead and serve in their community. VIYP’s aim is to provide a forum in which youth can develop skills in leadership, public speaking and the parliamentary process. These skills can then be put into practice through service to youth and the community. VIYP recognizes the significant abilities of youth and provides a forum in which youth can have their voices heard on issues that matter.

Each year, youth are “elected” to become members of VIYP as representatives of their schools or community organizations. You can find out more about the opportunity and application process by visiting their website.

Applications must be received by March 6, 2015.

British Columbia’s Seniors Advocate Isobel MacKenzie is hosting a senior’s public town hall meeting in Oak Bay on March 9, 2015 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The purpose of the event is to engage seniors in a conversation about improving the lives of BC seniors. The Seniors Advocate wants to hear from seniors and their families who live in the Oak Bay, Saanich, Esquimalt and Greater Victoria areas about what is working and not working for seniors in our communities.

The event will be co-hosted by the Oak Bay Seniors Activity Association and it will be held in the Garry Oak Room at Monterey Centre, located at 1442 Monterey Avenue in Oak Bay.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate lists upcoming events on their website and their office can also be contacted by phoning Toll-free 1-877-952-3181 (or 250-952-3181 in Victoria) if you have questions or comments.

Further details are available in the town hall event poster.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate is seeking applicants to set up a council of advisers and interested seniors are invited to apply.

The council will be made up of seniors from around the province, who will bring their diverse experience and perspective on seniors issues. It will bring forward issues and concerns and will review projects, reports and recommendations developed by the Office of the Seniors Advocate. The council will meet four times per year, by phone or in person.

There will be 25-30 council members appointed and terms will initially be from one to three years.

Seniors who would like to serve on the council must submit their applications by December 18, 2014.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate has collaborated with the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (“COSCO”) to develop selection criteria. COSCO is an umbrella organization made up of seniors’ organizations and individuals from every area of BC.

Interested seniors can also get more information by phone at 1-877-952-3181 (250-952-3181 in Victoria) or by email at info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca

More information about the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC can be found on their website.

The 86th British Columbia Youth Parliament will hold its parliamentary session in Victoria at the Provincial Legislative Chambers from December 27 to 31, 2014. The Youth Parliament is a province-wide non-partisan organization for young people ages 16 to 21. It teaches citizenship skills through participation in the December parliamentary session and in community service activities throughout the year. Youth Parliament is a one year commitment.

The BC Youth Parliament is non-partisan and applicants need only be interested in learning more about the parliamentary process and in serving their community.

The application is available here, along with an informational brochure and poster.

All applications must be received by October 22, 2014. Selected applicants will be notified in early November.

For more information, please click here.