Beginning on October 11, Speaker Wanner will be in south-eastern Alberta to dialogue with students about active citizenship, parliamentary democracy and the role of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
“The Legislature is the heart of democracy in Alberta, but for the many Albertans living outside of the capital region, experiencing the Legislature first-hand can be a challenge,” said Honourable Robert E. Wanner, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. “Mr. Speaker’s Outreach is a unique learning opportunity that brings the Legislature right to Alberta’s youth in their hometowns and invites important conversations that I hope will inspire active citizenship.”
On October 11 the Speaker will host:
Open House. Open Dialogue.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
401 First Street SE, Medicine Hat
Highlights of the open house will include meeting and having conversations with Speaker Robert E. Wanner, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Debbie Jabbour, and other current and former MLAs. Sergeant-at-Arms Brian Hodgson will also be on hand with the Alberta Mace. This will be the Alberta Mace’s first official trip outside of the capital.
During his tour the Speaker will also visit Crescent Heights High School, Monsignor McCoy High School, St. Mary’s High School and Siksika Nation High School.
One of the mandates of the Legislative Assembly Office is to educate Albertans on the democratic process and the parliamentary system. Mr. Speaker’s Outreach is another way through which the Legislative Assembly will educate Alberta’s youth. While additional locations have not yet been set, this is the first of what may be many tours of Mr. Speaker’s Outreach.
Every year thousands of students visit the Alberta Legislature, where they experience parliamentary democracy at work. Mr. Speaker’s MLA for a Day provides high school students with insight into a typical day in the life of an MLA, and the Page Program provides employment and development opportunities to high school and post-secondary students. In addition, the School at the Legislature program is offered to Grade 6 students. Mr. Speaker’s Outreach is the first program of its kind in Alberta to travel and reach students right in their home towns.