By Olivia McDonald

New Youth Policy With A Touch Of The North

Aug 18, 2018 | 3:25 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Youth of Northern BC got to speak up on Saturday. A UNBC student organized a forum where Prince George residents had their say on what they think should be included in Canada’s new youth policy.

Karista Olson who has previous experience participating in larger session across North America is hosting the only Northern BC session for the national For Youth, With Youth consultation forum. The discussion involves asking those between the ages of 10 – 30 what they think should be included in Canada’s new youth policy. Olson says she would like to see the North better represented when the new policy comes out. 

“I’m hoping that what comes out of it is the recognition that youth are involved, that youth have a lot to contribute and that their ability to speak for themselves needs to be recognized and honoured.”

Half a dozen intrigued people came out to the discussion on Saturday to cover all 6 areas that will be approached throughout the process. Although the event was targeted at a certain age range, people of all ages were invited to attend and have their chance to take part. UNCB student, Melanie Bellwood didn’t have any specific points to add to the forum but still wanted to contribute. 

“I mostly came with an interest to see what the government wanted to hear from us, so I’m excited to see a lot of different topics there that I do find extremely important.”

Crime

Prince George RCMP look for suspect in gas station robbery with unique tattoo

3h ago

stem cell drive

Stem cell drive to take place May 26th

3h ago

EOC funding

Prince George Emergency Operation Centre in need of a permanent facility says city official

3h ago

Olson decided to host the Forum after hearing about others happening across Canada and realized although there were meetings in areas around Vancouver nothing was taking place in the North. 

“For a really long time, Northern youth have been kind of forgotten in these processes, we are not looked too very often to contribute to things like this, we are not often engaged in the way that I think we should be.”

All the feedback from the forum will be compiled into a national report and Olson will submit it to the Privy Council Office’s Youth Secretariat.