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Youth Parliament of Manitoba

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Youth Parliament of Manitoba
Formation
  • Founded: 1922; 102 years ago (1922)
  • Incorporated: August 22, 1984; 40 years ago (1984-08-22)[1]
Legal statusRegistered charity
  • Xiao Zhang (Chairperson)
  • Josephine Zhao (Past Chairperson)
  • Charlize Medina (Director of Finance)
  • Madison Jones (Vice-Chairperson)
  • Jourmae Abengoza (Director of Procedures)
Websitehttps://www.ypmanitoba.ca
Formerly called
  • Older Boys' TUXIS Parliament of Manitoba (1922–1960)
  • Older Boys' Parliament of Manitoba (1960–1972)
  • Youth Parliament of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (1972–2003)

Youth Parliament of Manitoba Inc. (YPM) is a non-partisan, non-denominational, and incorporated registered charity[2][3] based in Manitoba, Canada.

Its mission is "to foster amongst the youth of Manitoba an understanding of, interest in, and engagement with the Canadian democratic parliamentary process that would enable their active participation in society as responsible citizens. In so doing, YPM strives to encourage the growth of the individual and their abilities through their exposure to a diversity of ideas and perspectives and the fellowship of their peers."

Activities

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YPM's flagship event is Session, an annual model parliament that takes place from December 26 to 31 each year at the Manitoba Legislature open to all Manitoban youth aged 16 to 20. During Session, participants ("members") debate mock legislation according to parliamentary procedure as per YPM's Standing Orders.[4] Throughout the week, members also have the opportunity to meet current and former politicians from the Manitoba Legislature and the House of Commons, partake in workshops, and socialize with fellow youth from across the province.

Every summer, YPM hosts Speaker's Night, its premier fundraising gala. Proceeds go towards supporting YPM's programming, financial aid capabilities, and operating costs. Recent keynote speakers have included Dr. Annette Trimbee, Susan Thompson, Senator Marilou McPhedran, Dr. Aimée Craft, and Wab Kinew.[5]

YPM is a founding member of the Western Canada Youth Parliament and current Member Parliament of its successor, Canada Youth Parliament. In this capacity, it assists in the organization of, and nominates delegates to, the biennial Canada Youth Parliament.

History

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In 1922, George Stewart, Lieutenant Governor of the Older Boys’ TUXIS Parliament of Manitoba, opened the first of a long line of annual sessions devoted to the development of leadership and awareness of the parliamentary system among the young men (and later, women) of Manitoba. It has since become one of the oldest Youth Parliaments in a network of similar organizations stretching across the country and the world. Although each of these Parliaments has a unique style and emphasis, all are based on the same basic principle of fostering knowledge of the parliamentary system amongst Canadian youth.

The Older Boys’ Parliament program began in Ontario as part of the TUXIS (“Training Under Christ In Service”) movement. Its original sponsors included various Protestant churches, such as the United Church of Canada, the Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches, the Salvation Army, and a variety of service groups such as the YMCA, De Molay and Kiwanis organizations. The movement's goal was to foster the development of the physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being of the person as inspired by the biblical passage Luke 2:52, which reads: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour.” YPs, only one of many TUXIS activities, were designed for religious as well as parliamentary training. Though most YPs were at one time part of the TUXIS movement, only the TUXIS Youth Parliament of Alberta retains the name to this day.

In 1960, “TUXIS” was dropped from the name, leaving “Older Boys’ Parliament.” In 1968, it was decided that YPM would expand its focus by becoming open to youth from non-Protestant backgrounds, thereby becoming non-denominational. This meant that the Oath of Allegiance and the legislation placed before the house was no longer written for specific religious groups and with specifically religious purposes in mind.

On December 28, 1972, a special meeting of the organization was held to officially admit women as full members and to change the organization’s name to Youth Parliament of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario (YPMNO). Previously, female members had for some years been allowed to attend session but only as associate members who did not hold the right to vote on the matters debated in the house. Seven years later, Ann Thompson became the first female Premier of YPMNO.

In celebration of its 60th anniversary in 1981, YPMNO hosted a first-of-its-kind invitational session for all YPs in Western Canada. Two years later, the Western Canada Youth Parliament (WCYP) was officially formed, with its second session being hosted again in Winnipeg in the chambers of City Council. Our organization has since hosted WCYP on three other occasions, in 1993, 2002 and most recently in 2010.

The organization successfully incorporated in 1984 and gained full charitable status. In 2003, the organization voted to shorten its name to Youth Parliament of Manitoba (YPM).

In 2007, YPM hosted its first annual Spring Session in Manitoba. In 2008, YPM hosted its first annual Speaker’s Night fundraising dinner. In 2019, it elected its first all-female Executive. In 2021, it celebrated its 100th annual Session.

Past Premiers[6]

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Year Parliament Premier Lieutenant Governor
1922 1 E.A. Armstrong George H. Stewart
1923 2 Erie L. Jackson John Martin
1924 3 Frank Fidler J. H. Dowler
1925 4 Darwin Chase R. G. Taylor
1926 5 John Gilmer The Hon. F. M. Black
1927 6 John Gilmer Judge F. A. E. Hamilton
1928 7 John Dunderdale J. L. Bathgate
1929 8 William Moore Benidickson Dr. John Mackay
1930 9 Vivian M. Rogers Prof. Watson Kirkconnell
1931 10 Mervyn Sprung Magistrate R. B. Graham
1932 11 Donald Ross C. R. Sayer
1933 12 George S. Thurton Canon H. G. G. Herkots
1934 13 Joseph Benson Rev. J. W. Clarke
1935 14 James M Taylor Rev. J. W. Little
1936 15 J. S. McArdle B. V. Richardson
1937 16 Donald L. Mackay C. E. Stockdill
1938 17 Wilson Milne C. N. Halstead
1939 18 Raymond Threson E. J. J. Glenesk
1940 19 Frederick Tallman The Hon. Sidney Earle Smith, P.C.
1941 20 Aitken Harvey A. C. Campbell
1942 21 Frederick Bickell Prof. A.. R. Cragg
1943 22 Maurice Helston Rev. George A. MacMillan
1944 23 Lynn Watt Dr. Robert Fletcher
1945 24 Thomas Goulding The Hon. D. C. McKenzie
1946 25 Garth Campbell Arch. J. Barr
1947 26 Robert H. Johnson John A. M. Edwards
1948 27 William Norrie E. H. Morgan
1949 28 J. A. C. Magee C. H. P. Killick
1950 29 Doug Mauchlan Prof. R. Fletcher
1951 30 Alan G. Gardiner Dr. W. C. Graham
1952 31 Harry T. Makin Nelson Mc Ewen
1953 32 Victor Mearon Mayor N. J. Black
1954 33 Robert A. Steen Canon L. F. Wilmont
1955 34 Lawrie Smith H. L. Mackinnon
1956 35 Waldron Fox-Decent Dr. W. C. Lockhart
1957 36 Don King C. G. Carter
1958 37 Graeme Garson T. M. Miller
1959 38 Doug McEwan Dr. H. H. Saunderson
1960 39 Lloyd Axworthy Dr. Earl J. Treusch
1961 40 Mike Quiggin D. L. Campbell
1962 41 Denis Corrie Prof. W. L. Morton
1963 42 Bruce Doern The Hon. Stanley H. Knowles, P.C.
1964 43 Neil Gailbraith Rev. J. O. Anderson
1965 44 Gary Scherbain The Hon. Errick Willis
1966 45 Jim Lightbody Dr. D. B. Macdonald
1967 46 Hugh Stephens Bishop Antoine Hacault
1968 47 Tom Axworthy Magistrate Isaac Rice
1969 48 Philip Reece Dr. George Johnson
1970 49 Bob Williamson Dean C. Edwards
1971 50 John Romanow Charles Hubband
1972 51 Ron Miller Rev. D. O. Reece
1973 52 Laurie Swardfager Juiles Koteles
1974 53 Paul DuVal Dr. Ben Hog
1975 54 Chris Guest Muriel Smith
1976 55 Andrew Treusch Judge Peter Teraska
1977 56 Gordon Du Val The Rt. Hon. Edward Schreyer,
P.C., C.C., C.M.M., O.M., C.D.
1978 57 Dave Najduch Paul DuVal, Sr.
1979 58 Ann Thompson The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, P.C., O.C., O.M., Norman Axworthy
1980 59 Ian Manson Olga Fuga
1981 60 Darren Praznik Judge Graeme Carson
1982 61 Jim Bell Dr. Carl Ridd
1983 62 Bruce Johannson The Hon. Gildas Molgat, P.C.
1984 63 Dmytro Dutka William Norrie, C.M., O.M., Q.C.
1985 64 Patricia Chaychuk Hon. William Blakie, P.C., M.P.
1986 65 Erminia Pallone Gary Filmon
1987 66 Nasir Faruqui The Hon. Sharon Carstairs, P.C.
1988 67 Glen Hickerson Prof. Jack London, Q.C.
1989 68 Sean Crick Howard Pawley, P.C. Q.C.
1990 69 Michelle Elvers-Crick The Hon. Murray Sinclair
1991 70 James Muir Waldron Fox-Decent, C.M., C.M.M., O.M., C.D.
1992 71 Christine Barnson Gary Doer
1993 72 J.P. Lapointe Terry Duguid
1994 73 Mark Matz Philip Weiss
1995 74 Cindy Fleury Bruce C. Daniels
1996 75 Darcy Rollins Dr. Robert J. Young
1997 76 Nichole Cyr Richard Cloutier
1998 77 Ken Yost Darren Praznik
1999 78 Alan Fehr Prof. Donald Bailey
2000 79 Donna Chanas John Perry
2001 80 Mercedes Alcock Patricia Chaychuck
2002 81 Micah Melnyk Ann Thompson
2003 82 Michael Feuerstein Erminia Johannson
2004 83 Carlee-ann Dueck Philip Reece
2005 84 Michael Urban Dave Najduch
2006 85 Dana Gregoire Bob Haverluck
2007 86 Katie Szilagyi Dr. Bruce W. Warner
2008 87 Amy Dhillon Mark Matz
2009 88 Jennifer Pawluk Andrew Treusch
2010 89 Darcy Vermeulen Ruth Wilson
2011 90 Darren Haber Darcy Rollins
2012 91 Bojan Pirnat Donna Chanas
2013 92 Andrew Jones Muriel Smith
2014 93 Brent Hardy Sachit Mehra
2015 94 Kamal Dhillon Clif Evans
2016 95 Joseph Broda Dr. Kristel van Ineveld
2017 96 Ariel Melamedoff Paulo Fernandes
2018 97 Adrienne Tessier Dr. Aimée Craft
2019 98 Deborah Tsao Amy Dhillon
2020 99 Abigaïl Theano-Pudwill Stuart Olmstead
2021 100 Nina Lam Dr. Brent Roussin
2022 101 Jacob Harvey The Hon. Murray Sinclair
2023 102 Josephine Zhao Dr. Katie Szilagyi
2024 103 Xiao Zhang Alicia Dueck-Read

Organizational structure

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YPM bases its organizational structure and nomenclature on the Westminster parliamentary system. The membership structure of YPM is made up of three main components: the Executive, the Cabinet, and Backbenchers. All members of YPM are between the ages of 16 and 25.

Executive

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Youth Parliament of Manitoba Inc. is governed by a five-person Executive, who legally function as the corporation's board of directors. Each person is elected for a one-year term by and from the membership on the last day of Session. All directors are volunteers between the ages of 18 and 25. The positions on the board are:

  • the Past-Chairperson (Speaker),
  • the Chairperson (Premier),
  • the Director of Finance (Deputy Speaker),
  • the Vice-Chairperson (Deputy Premier), and
  • the Director of Procedures (House Leader).

Cabinet

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The Cabinet is YPM's volunteer organizing committee, appointed by the Executive from the members (attendees) of the previous Session. The Cabinet assists the Executive in organizing and holding Session. Current Cabinet portfolios include:

  • Ministry of Alumni Affairs
  • Ministry of Communications
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Ministry of External Affairs
  • Ministry of Government Services
  • Ministry of Human Resources
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • Ministry of Labour
  • Ministry of Publications
  • Ministry of Public Relations
  • Ministry of Revenue
  • Ministry of Supply and Service
  • Registrar General
  • Whips (Armstrong and Thompson)

Backbenchers

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All non-Executive and non-Cabinet members of YPM sit as Backbenchers during Session.

Dignitaries

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Lieutenant governor

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Each year, the board of directors invites a distinguished member of the community (in recent years, often a former member) to act as the lieutenant governor (LG). The LG officially opens and prorogues the session, reads the Speech from the Throne, and makes a brief presentation to the membership.

Honorary president

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The honorary president (HP) is a prominent citizen of Manitoba who serves as an advisor for the organization. At Session, they attend the opening and closing ceremonies.

Traditional Knowledge Keeper

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The Traditional Knowledge Keeper advises the organization on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Manitoba. At Session, they conduct a traditional Indigenous teaching on the first and last days.

Notable alumni

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Many of YPM's past members have gone on to successful careers in a variety of fields. Some of the organization's prominent past members include:

By decision of the Board, former members of YPM who have made outstanding contributions to the organization are eligible to be appointed to the organization's Senate.

See also

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  1. ^ "Articles of Incorporation" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  2. ^ "About". Youth Parliament of Manitoba. 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  3. ^ "T3010 Registered Charity Information Return". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  4. ^ "Governance". Youth Parliament of Manitoba. 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  5. ^ "Speaker's Night". Youth Parliament of Manitoba. 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-06-15.
  6. ^ "Past Premiers". Youth Parliament of Manitoba. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2021-04-21.