Last January 20, was the 14th edition of the school parliament. Over 135 students, from different schools around the province, participated to this major event. Alex Brassard and Genevieve Bonnelly had the opportunity to be among them.

It started on January 20, and ended on the 22nd. During this event, the teenagers assumed the duties of a deputy. They had to write a draft bill on a subject they found important. After, they had to send it to the executive comity of the school parliament. The comity selected the most promising draft bills, and voted for the three best. Every student were assigned to a draft bill or to the parliamentary motion. According to the work they were assigned, they had to analyze and compare the positive and negative aspects of the bills. They also had to write a speech to support or critique the motions they had studied.

On the 20th, there was a opening ceremony where students were sworn in. Later that day, they went in the blue room for the presentation of the party leaders, the minister, the president, the godmothers or godfathers of the draft bills and the motions. For diner, everyone had a taste of the famous “Le Parlementaire”. Every deputy received a little card with the portrait of a person of importance in the political world and they had to match it with one of the restaurant’s tables. From 6h30 to 8h00, the work started with a simulation of a parliamentary committee. At the end of the day, the MPs(our representatives) all stayed at the Château Laurier.

The next day started with a breakfast at “le Café du Parlement”. Then, they went for a photo shoot of the 14th edition of the school parliament, and went back to the Blue room for their first meeting of the day. For lunch, they went at Le Parlementaire and each school were assigned to a table and met a deputy. Our represents had the chance to eat with Mr. Patrick Huot who sponsored this whole adventure. Thursday afternoon, everyone met at the blue room, and in the evening there were three parliamentary committees. For the last day, different activities were offered: a guided tour of the parliament and a trivia game. Friday afternoon, the last meeting was the vote. Only one of the three draft bills on food distribution was adopted. A closing ceremony then took place. It was an amazing experience.