The first sitting of the Pacific Northwest Youth Parliament (PNYP) was held at Northwest Community College last weekend, and according to organizer Michael “things went smoothly’, The event began on Thursday even- ing with Lieutenant-Governor Jack Talstra reading the Speech from the Throne.

by Tod Strachan

_ The Northwest Youth Parlia- ment is a part of the B.C. Youth Parliament (BCYP) and acts as a regional committee to discuss and present local views on pro- vincial issues to the BCYP when it sits in the Legislature in Vic- toria in early January.

Wong said several important resolutions were introduced in the House, reflecting the views of a new generation of politi- cians and the shape of things to come.

The right of students with AIDS to attend school was one issue that was passed after much debate. Wong said some members were concerned over the possibility that the disease could be transmitted to others if the student were injured or bleeding. On the other hand, the majority believed it was unfair and discriminatory to treat AIDS victims like ‘‘lepers’’ and exclude them from public ac- tivities such as school.

Another idea introduced and passed was the concept of man- datory professional drivers training for all new drivers. Ac-

cording to Wong, this concept.

was passed by BCYP last January but the hour-long debate in the Northwest brought several amendments which will be introduced.

A negative aspect to the idea that wasn’t picked up in the Lower Mainland debate but needs a closer look is the distance between centers in the north and the cost of travel and accommodation for residents of

_ smaller communities who would

be required to travel to a central location for the course.

New recommendations for

' driver training were that the age

for obtaining a learners license

Youth Parli ament

Wong |

er

Terrace Review — Wednesday, June !, 1988 9

examines

issues of the day ;

Members of the Pacific Northwest Youth Parliament met recently at the Northwest Community College campus in Terrace. Some of the issues addressed during the sitting Included the establishment of a northern university, driver training, suicide prevention and language requirements for university entry.

should be reduced to 15 and, because many roads in the north

are remote, the course should in-

clude basic auto maintenance. The creation of a northern university was highly favored, primarily due to transportation costs to the lower mainland. However, some concern was ex- pressed regarding the acceptance by industry of students trained

ina Prince George university

compared to UBC or SFU.

Reducing the weighting of

provincial exams on a student’s

final mark was an issue. that, was passed unanimously. Presently a student will write several exams during a semester which are averaged to determine the final mark.

However, this only constitutes 50 percent of the final grade. A single provincial exam at the end of the semester makes up the

other 50 percent, and the two

marks are averaged.

Wong said all members felt this places unfair pressure on students, and they recommend- ed that the weight of provincial exams be reduced to 30 or 40

percent.

It was also recommended that a second language for university entrance should not be man- datory. Members felt that a se-

cond language is not necessary in B.C.; even though Canada is a bilingual -country, most

students rarely use a second

language and it is soon forgotten anyway. A second language would still be an option for students, however.

An issue that was tabled in

Victoria last January but passed ©

unanimously in Terrace was a government-sponsored suicide prevention program. . Support was expressed for existing pro- grams such as ‘‘youth lines’’ or _ crisis, lines’. for teenagers, -and members voted to ask the pro- vincial government and the school system to add more. “‘It’s someone for students to talk to and help them through their pro- blems — through their tough times,’’ says Wong.

Another item that was debated at length and received _approval was corporal punish- ment in schools. It was recom- mended that this be im- plemented only in elementary grades, grades four to seven. Ac- cording to Wong, primary students are too young to benefit and are ‘‘explorers’’ by nature. It was felt that corporal punish- ment at this age level could in- hibit their inquisitiveness and create a generation of ‘“‘robots’’.

Corporal punishment at the secondary level was also re- jected. Wong said it was felt that students at this age should be more mature and be receptive to discussion if there is a discipline problem. In other words, they should be treated more like adults.

“The reason why we wanted this,’ explains Wong, ‘‘is that discipline in schools is lacking. You can see students back- talking teachers — teachers not getting the respect they deserve.”’

These and other resolutions that were passed by the PNYP will be submitted to the BCYP

session in Victoria and their decisions will be passed on to the federal and provincial govern- ments. In the past, some of these resolutions have affected the

course of government decisions .

at both the federal and provin- cial level. oO

Some of the issues that were introduced but thrown out in- cluded the legalization of pro- stitution as an AIDS prevention measure and reducing the pro- vincial voting age to 18. Wong said it was felt generally that most 18 year-olds lacked the necessary knowledge and insight into provincial affairs to make an educated choice.

Mills Memorial Hospital.

-Terrace’s Bingo Place

Lucky Dollar Bingo Palace

4818 Hwy. 16 West

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Terrace Health Care Society Friday, June 10, 1988 at 8 p.m. Terrace Arena Banquet Room

Current members of either the Terrace & District Hospital Association and/or the Terrace Health Care Society may renew their memberships on or before June 10, 1988.

‘New members who wish to have voting rights at the An- nual General Meeting must become a member of either the Terraceview Lodge Society or the Terrace & District Hospital Association on or before MAY 10, 1988,

Memberships may be purchased at Terraceview Lodge or

DOORS OPEN AT 4:30 P.M.

“e

tne ay cman marr) eemrtiae sarees sinter: dl = alae = *

SUNDAY: Terrace Athletics Assn. MONDAY: Terrace Minor Hockey oe TUESDAY: Kermodes or Jaycees a WEDNESDAY: Terrace Blueback Swim Club - THURSDAY: 747 Air Cadets | Ladies of the Royal Purple

_ FRIDAY: Parapelegic Assn. - SATURDAY: Parapelegic Foundation

“er earl:

Following tradition at a recent meeting of the Pacific Nor- thwest Youth Parliament, the Speaker of the House tries to

resist being led to the dais during the opening of parlia-

ment. It was the principle function of early Speakers to communicate the resolutions in the Commons to the King, T 8 Regular EVERYONE WELCOME! | Extra who often viewed these opinions with displeasure; Many Games ge 14 years and up). Games

speakers consequently lost their lives. Pictured above are Thank you! Have a Nice day! (left to right) Bruce Hallsor, Speaker of the House, Mark Chioccarello of Kitimat, Leader of the Opposition, and

Premier Alllson De Jong of Smithers.