Local Student Represents Deep River at Inaugural Youth Parliament

Jamie Hopkins, a student from Deep River currently enrolled at Cambrian College in Sudbury, participated in the inaugural Youth Parliament of Canada held in Ottawa last month. This event gathered 73 young people aged 16 to 20 from across the nation to engage in discussions on pressing national issues, draft policy proposals, and gain firsthand experience in parliamentary procedures.

Hopkins, a graduate of Mackenzie High School in 2023, was inspired to pursue a career in Child and Youth Care after a conversation with a school support worker. “I’ve always liked helping people,” she shared. “I realized that I wanted to help kids with life skills and to coach them through their challenges.” Upon learning about the Youth Parliament initiative, she eagerly applied to be a part of the program hosted by CIVIX.

The Youth Parliament aimed to connect youth from all provinces and territories, providing an opportunity for those who might not otherwise engage in political processes. “For many participants, this was their first exposure to Canadian politics,” said Hopkins.

During her application process, Hopkins answered questions about her background and the issues she observed in her community. “The organizers wanted representatives from all areas of Canada,” she explained. Although her current postal code is Sudbury, she expressed her desire to represent Deep River, a request that the organizers happily accommodated. “When I spoke, I spoke about Deep River,” she noted.

As part of the program, each participant delivered a one-minute introduction of their community. Hopkins found this challenging but chose to highlight the history of Deep River, emphasizing the work of local advocate Steffanie Adams in exploring the town’s indigenous roots. “Deep River really does have the most interesting story,” she remarked.

The days at the Youth Parliament were filled with intensive activities, including long sessions in the Senate. “One day we were there from 09:00 to 21:00,” she recalled. “When I got back to the hotel, I realized I hadn’t stopped for 12 hours.” Although initially nervous, she appreciated the preparatory session on parliamentary procedures that helped ease her into the experience.

By the end of the four-day event, all 73 participants had the opportunity to voice their opinions. “Not everyone gets to have a voice at a high level,” she stated. “Even though this was a simulated high level, it was still significant.”

A highlight for Hopkins was a panel discussion featuring three Members of Parliament (MPs). Among them was Elizabeth May, who engaged with the participants despite being in the midst of a voting session. “It was budget week – a very exciting time to be in Ottawa,” Hopkins said. May demonstrated her commitment to the event by multitasking, casting her vote remotely while conversing with the youth. “It was the strangest thing I’d ever seen,” Hopkins reflected.

Beyond the parliamentary experience, Hopkins valued the connections she made with peers from different regions. “I sat beside someone from the Yukon in the Senate and roomed with a girl from Calgary,” she said. “The most valuable piece of learning was discovering what matters to people in different parts of Canada.”

The experience also offered humorous surprises that highlighted the diversity across the country, such as the distinct appearance of Alberta identification. “All the voices and different experiences somehow have to come together,” she explained. “It’s not about everyone doing the same thing. It’s about understanding that everyone can be different and still achieve a positive outcome.”

Hopkins expressed pride in her roots from Deep River, stating, “Whenever I meet someone from Deep River, I get so excited. It doesn’t matter where I am.” She aims to inspire others from her community, hoping they realize their actions matter. “When I see someone from Deep River doing something cool, I feel encouraged,” she said. “I want people in Deep River to remember that their contributions can open doors for those who come after them.”

The Youth Parliament of Canada not only provided a platform for young voices but also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among participants, reinforcing the idea that their efforts can lead to meaningful change in their communities and beyond.