Manitoba’s next generation of leaders debate, structure laws in youth parliament

With the provincial government on holiday break, Manitoba’s leaders of tomorrow have taken over the legislature this week.

High school and post-secondary students have the opportunity to step into the shoes of political leaders for the 102nd annual Youth Parliament of Manitoba.

“I believe political literacy, especially in youth, is incredibly important,” said Lien Huynh, who was given the role of minister of public relations. “With social media, it’s so much easier to access politics. Youth parliament really gives a place for youth to take what they learn on the news and apply it to their real life.”

For six days, the students debate and structure legislation – often inspired by their own personal experiences.

“We all have things we are passionate about in our community, health care, social issues, things personal to our identity,” said Edwin Mugisha Kayonga, a backbencher. “This is a place where we get to voice them, and a lot of other places won’t want to hear us out on these things.

“We are all youth and we have new ideas but this is a place where we are heard and encouraged to give our opinions out.”

While the 79 members of this year’s session come from varying backgrounds and beliefs, throughout the week, they foster a constructive environment where opinions and ideas can be expressed freely.

“Everyone has different points of view to bring to the table, so it is super interesting to hear everyone speak and passionately debate,” said Jourmae Abengoza, in the role of minister of human resource.

“It’s not he said, she said, us versus them, it’s like ‘here is my idea and here is your idea and where can we meet, what do we agree on together and why are we disagreeing on this issue,’” added Huynh.

“Oftentimes we are in a place of bias where the people around us often think the same as us, and we come to a place like this where we can, from different backgrounds, all have new opinions to share with each other,” said Kayonga. “I think it just grows us both mentally and intellectually.”

Whether the experience leads to a career in politics or not, the leaders of tomorrow say it’s an opportunity they’ll never forget.

“The reason I come back is because I can see myself in a position of making change and it doesn’t necessarily have to be in politics or in parliament, but it’s just making change and discussing with my peers. Its just an experience you won’t get anywhere else,” said Kayonga.

Youth Parliament of Manitoba has been around since 1922.