(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), issued the following statement on International Youth Day:
“Our youth deserve the kind of opportunity we, the boomer generation experienced, which is why the Green Party will work in the next Parliament to address the social and economic challenges facing our youth today, including youth unemployment and rising education costs.
“This year’s theme is Youth Civic Engagement and we are hard at work reaching out to young Canadians in this election – I am so proud of our slate of young Green candidates, including 18 year old Vincent Chiu (Richmond Centre), who received the U-Roc Award for Leadership from the City of Richmond and was a Green Ambassador with the Richmond School District. As someone passionate about eco-marketing and civic engagement, Mr. Chiu also delivers numerous workshops to youth summits, encouraging other young Canadians to get involved.
“Greens will work with all other parties to establish an Environmental and Community Service Corps – this will create 160 000 well paying jobs over four years. Join with us today, on International Youth Day, and help our youth succeed in the future.”
Mary Lou Babineau, Green Party Labour and Employment Critic and candidate (Fredericton), continued: “The future of all of our communities depends on our ability to effectively engage our youth and to create spaces for them to contribute their knowledge, skills and talents.
“International Youth Day is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to our youth and to their most pressing needs, such as accessible post-secondary education and training; paid professional internships; support for their business, artistic and creative endeavours; and political and civic inclusion, among others.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca
Or
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca