Past Winners
2010-2011 Winners
photo: Don Davies, MP with Maria Gladkikh and Lakshmi Soundarapandian in the House of Commons.
VANCOUVER – Two Lower Mainland students are in Ottawa watching from the Parliamentary Gallery this morning while Don Davies, MP (Vancouver Kingsway) introduces a very special private member’s bill in Parliament: An Act Respecting a National Strategy to Encourage the Development of Renewable Energy Sources.
The Bill was crafted out of the winning idea from the students who entered Davies’ online contest, ‘Create Your Canada’.
The aim of the contest, which has garnered interest from educators across the country, is to encourage students to take an interest in how Canada is governed.
“Listening to Canadian youth about their concerns for our country is really important,” said Davies. “Parliament is well-served by these proposals and I am proud to bring the voice of youth into our debates.”
The prize is a trip to Ottawa where Davies introduces their bill, escorts the students around Parliament, tours them through the House of Commons Chamber and the Library of Parliament and brings them to an actual Caucus meeting.
The winners are Maria Gladkikh and Grihalakshmi (Lakshmi) Soundarapandian. Both attend grade 11 at Gladstone Secondary School. Maria and Lakshmi jointly submitted an idea to develop more power from clean, sustainable sources.
“We’re really excited to be in Ottawa to see our idea come to life,” said Lakshmi. “We want Canada to develop a real plan for a renewable energy economy,” said Maria.
This is a great way for youth to share their vision for our country,” said Davies. “I think it’s also a fun and engaging introduction to Parliament and the legislative process.”
The costs of this program are paid entirely by Davies.
For more details on the ‘Create Your Canada’ program, visit the website at http://vancouverkingsway.createyourcanada.ca
2009-2010 Winners
photo: Don Davies, MP with Puneet Riar and Hansel Fung in the lobby of the Parliament building.
Grade 12 Windermere Secondary student Puneet Riar captured the win for her entry suggesting that Canada direct 0.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards foreign aid.
Bill C-528 – An Act to amend the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act (poverty reduction)
Grade 10 Eric Hamber Secondary student Hansel Fung was our second winner with his proposal to create tax incentives for energy efficient lightbulbs, and to encourage Canadians to reduce energy consumption.
Bill C-529 – An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Income Tax Act (extra-energy-efficient products)
Check out more photos from Puneet & Hansel’s June 2010 trip to Ottawa here.
