Girls and gender-diverse youth learn the ropes of P.E.I. politics

Perhaps Friday afternoon was a glimpse into P.E.I.'s political future, but the legislature looked a little different. Every seat was filled with a young Islander representing a position in government.

Seanna D'Souza, 16, is the premier. At her side is 18-year-old deputy premier Emmeline Stanley. Mary-Anne Gaudet, 17, has been elected as leader of the official opposition.

"We're the ones that are going to run the world next," said Stanley.

"We are the youth of today, but we're going to be the adults of tomorrow.... I think that's really important, and to start early so we know what we want to do."

The Island's first Girls and Gender-Diverse Youth Parliament was hosted in Charlottetown by the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government. In total, 29 people between the ages of 14 and 19 participated.

"Representation matters and youth voices matter," said Sarah Outram, the coalition's executive director. "It is a combination of priorities here.

"They are making decisions now. They see the same problems the adults in our province are seeing and they want to make a difference."

'Politics is all around us'

The goal is to teach the inner workings of P.E.I.'s political system and maybe make politics a little less daunting.

"Politics is all around us," said D'Souza.

"And as an immigrant myself, I understand the struggles that newcomers face on the island. And that's something that I really want to vouch for, and I want to voice the opinions of newcomers."

The group spoke about issues including ER wait times, housing insecurity, mental health services and support for students. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)

D'Souza and Stanley were not the only ones in the room interested in making change.

"One of the things that I've been dealing with is the issue of work permits for immigrants or people on student visas under 18," said 16-year-old Amitis Hajmaghani, who is from Iran.

"It is tough to see your peers and schoolmates going to work when you don't have the opportunity to do that."

Bills and motions

The group split into two — the government and the official opposition. The first day was spent reviewing the basics. By the second day they were ready for debate.

"We're all here today for the same reason — we want to be heard," said 16-year-old Emma MacDougall.

"Take our ideas into consideration because we're putting a lot of thought into them and we're really grateful to have this opportunity."

'There's a lot of services on P.E.I. that are not provided to youth,' says Seanna D'Souza. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC)

The first motion called for equitable access to menstrual hygiene supplies. Another wants to see a housing-first policy implemented to address housing insecurity.

There is a motion for health care, too — pointed at getting faster accreditation for permanent residents looking to become certified health-care workers.

"I wanna see our issues being heard and relayed to the people who are actually in power," said Eyitayo Ajibaib, 19.

"I want them to realize that these are issues that are actually really serious … and take steps that are absolutely necessary in combating these issues."

The youth have bills in mind as well, including an Indigenous representation act, more support for Islanders with hearing loss and funding to expand public transit.

The group split into government and official opposition. (Sheehan Desjardins/CBC News)

"I would love to see more people that are women and gender-diverse people in the legislative assembly," said Mary-Anne Gaudet.

"It would be really great to have women and gender-diverse people saying what they believe in and speaking their truth."

Ava Beaton, 14, agrees.

"Stigma around women being in politics, that needs to change because we have just the same rights as men and we can do just as much as they do," she said.

'Changing the world'

For some, this event came as a chance to learn a little bit more about the system. Others are getting a feel for what a career in government could be like.

"I like the thought of changing the world and making it a better place," said 15-year-old Dakota Guptill.

"I hope most of us move on to politics whenever we're older because we're all doing so good at it."

Outram said she has little doubt that everyone in this room has a bright future.

"I think these youth are capable of anything that they set their minds to," she said.

"The decisions and ideas that they brought forward are game changers. They are great and would be so good to implement on our Island."