Winnipeg, MB – The voices of Winnipeg's youth will be heard loud and clear at City Hall with the establishment of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council which is set to meet for the first time tomorrow, Mayor Brian Bowman announced today.
“I am so happy to formally launch this advisory council,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “I have met so many young Winnipeggers who are incredibly passionate about their city, their province, and their country. This advisory council will provide a platform to communicate, consult, and solicit feedback on issues important to them as well as to myself and Council. I look forward to our initial meeting tomorrow, and to collaborating and listening to them on ways they think we can build a better city for all its residents.”
The Youth Advisory Council is as an independent advisory body and resource providing the Mayor with youth perspectives on existing city governance, programs and services, as well as input on various social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues facing the city. A requirement of Youth Advisory Council membership is a five hour per month volunteer commitment. Members are able to fulfil this requirement in groups as well as individually.
The new advisory council consists of up to fifteen members. Members of the first Youth Advisory Council include:
- Jake Bell, grade 12, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate
- Armaandeep Dhanoa, grade 10, Maples Met School
- Nathan Dueck, university, Canadian Mennonite University
- Brianna Jonnie, university, University of Winnipeg
- Clèche Kokolo, university, University of Manitoba
- Cherice Liebrecht, postsecondary studies in early childhood education
- Mabel Macasaet, grade 11, Kelvin High School
- Izzy Marquez, grade 12, Oak Park High School
- Emma Mitchell, university, Université de St. Boniface
- Emily Neufeld, grade 12, Churchill High School
- Ashton Olin, grade 12, St. Paul’s High School
- Yesenia Portillo, grade 11, Churchill High School
- Matthew Saranchuk, grade 11, Kelvin High School
- Alex Smolianyski, grade 10, River East Collegiate
- Shiven Srivastava, grade 10, Vincent Massey Collegiate
Implementing a Youth Advisory Council fulfills a commitment made by the Mayor. Youth interested in becoming members of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council were encouraged to apply through a recruitment effort earlier this spring. Over 50 applications were received.
To apply, applicants must be residents of Winnipeg, and be between 15 and 21 years of age as of September 1st. They must be high school or post-secondary students with an overall grade average of 70 percent, and demonstrate interest in civic government and community affairs.