Saskatchewan Youth Parliament
Encyclopedia
The Saskatchewan Youth Parliament (SYP) is a non-partisan organization of young people that meets to discuss and debate political and social issues. Members learn about the mechanics of government
, such as parliamentary procedure
, decision making, and the rules of debate in a parliamentary democracy
. Additionally, members are exposed to a variety of viewpoints from youth from around Saskatchewan
. At its annual Christmas
session, SYP members are given the privilege of debating at the Saskatchewan Legislature
in Regina
, in the same seats as the real Members of the Legislative Assembly. SYP is run for youth by youth by a cabinet elected at the Annual Christmas Session each year. Cabinet does everything from planning the events, to finances and communications.
According to its mission statement:
In 1923, SYP was revived under the TUXIS
movement as an organisation for Christian
boys. That Christmas, the session was held at the Saskatchewan Legislature, where it has been held almost every year since.
There were no sessions of the SYP during the Great Depression
and World War II
. This resulted in a fifteen year gap between the 8th and 9th sessions of the SYP. It was not until 1945 that the SYP met again. At that time, the Saskatchewan Older Boys' Parliament began its evolution towards what is now called SYP. There were many spirited debates on whether to admit females, non-Christians and smokers. The members at the time decided to allow smokers to join but not females or non-Christians.
In 1969, the members of the Saskatchewan Older Boys' Parliament debated a resolution that would permit young women to join the organisation. One of the members at the time was former Saskatchewan premier Lorne Calvert
, who gave a (reportedly tongue in cheek) speech against admitting female members. It was not until 1972 that females and non-Christians were allowed to join. At that time, the name was changed to Saskatchewan Youth Parliament.
In 1987, SYP celebrated its 75th Anniversary. To celebrate, a reunion was held which brought together different generations of SYP alumni. Soon afterward, a new draft constitution and standing orders were prepared. These came into effect in 1988.
Throughout the years, a number of SYP alumni have become notable political leaders, including former Prime Minister the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker
, former MP Simon De Jong
, former Federal Cabinet Minister and current Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ralph Goodale
, former Premier Lorne Calvert
, former MLA and cabinet minister Mark Wartman, former Reform Party National Councillor Nolan Berg, and Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff. Many other former members have also made their mark on Saskatchewan and on Canada
such as lawyers, diplomats and journalists.
The topics for debate are chosen by the members themselves at the event and are often related to topics that are of interest or are featured in the news. For example, switching to a nuclear-based energy system was a favourite debate resolution during the early 1990s. Other perennial topics include the death penalty, abortion, and the legalization of marijuana.
The three other events held throughout the year take place in March, May and November. This are called "Minis" because they are held over a weekend in each of the listed months and are like a Mini Session. The location of the March and May minis vary each year, but tend to be either a North/South town or city or an East/West town or city. These events do not involve legislation or a budget.
The November Mini is always held in Saskatoon and is the yearly Tri-Provincial event. Saskatchewan Youth Parliament invites the Youth Parliament of Manitoba
and the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
to join them in a weekend of debating.
There are also Cabinet meetings held in January, July and September, as well as at each official event as a time for the Executive Council (Cabinet) to discuss the running of Saskatchewan Youth Parliament.
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
, such as parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
, decision making, and the rules of debate in a parliamentary democracy
Parliamentary system
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....
. Additionally, members are exposed to a variety of viewpoints from youth from around Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. At its annual Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
session, SYP members are given the privilege of debating at the Saskatchewan Legislature
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
The 25th Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan was in power from 2003 until November 20, 2007. It was controlled by the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party under premier Lorne Calvert.-Members:-By-elections:...
in Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, in the same seats as the real Members of the Legislative Assembly. SYP is run for youth by youth by a cabinet elected at the Annual Christmas Session each year. Cabinet does everything from planning the events, to finances and communications.
According to its mission statement:
The Saskatchewan Youth Parliament is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, youth-run organization. SYP provides the opportunity for youth across the province to expand their knowledge of parliamentary prodcedure while fostering good citizenship. The organization is dedicated to developing leadership and public speaking skills among youth. While striving to create an inclusive environment, members forge lasting relationships based on cooperative learning and mutual respect.
History
SYP first met in 1912 as the Saskatchewan Older Boys' Parliament. However, it had a shaky beginning and collapsed after a few years of existence.In 1923, SYP was revived under the TUXIS
TUXIS
TUXIS was a boys’ program similar to the Scouting movement promoted by Canadian Protestant churches. There are a number of variations of what the acronym "TUXIS" is said to stand for...
movement as an organisation for Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
boys. That Christmas, the session was held at the Saskatchewan Legislature, where it has been held almost every year since.
There were no sessions of the SYP during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This resulted in a fifteen year gap between the 8th and 9th sessions of the SYP. It was not until 1945 that the SYP met again. At that time, the Saskatchewan Older Boys' Parliament began its evolution towards what is now called SYP. There were many spirited debates on whether to admit females, non-Christians and smokers. The members at the time decided to allow smokers to join but not females or non-Christians.
In 1969, the members of the Saskatchewan Older Boys' Parliament debated a resolution that would permit young women to join the organisation. One of the members at the time was former Saskatchewan premier Lorne Calvert
Lorne Calvert
Lorne Albert Calvert, MLA was the 13th Premier of Saskatchewan, from 2001 to 2007. Calvert, was the leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party from 2001 to June 6, 2009, when he was succeeded by Dwain Lingenfelter.In 1975, Calvert married Betty Sluzalo of Perdue, Saskatchewan. After attending...
, who gave a (reportedly tongue in cheek) speech against admitting female members. It was not until 1972 that females and non-Christians were allowed to join. At that time, the name was changed to Saskatchewan Youth Parliament.
In 1987, SYP celebrated its 75th Anniversary. To celebrate, a reunion was held which brought together different generations of SYP alumni. Soon afterward, a new draft constitution and standing orders were prepared. These came into effect in 1988.
Throughout the years, a number of SYP alumni have become notable political leaders, including former Prime Minister the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
, former MP Simon De Jong
Simon De Jong
Simon Leendert De Jong was a Canadian parliamentarian. He was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1979 federal election as an New Democratic Party Member of Parliament from Saskatchewan...
, former Federal Cabinet Minister and current Deputy Leader of the Opposition Ralph Goodale
Ralph Goodale
Ralph Edward Goodale, PC, MP was Canada's Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and continues to be a Liberal Member of Parliament...
, former Premier Lorne Calvert
Lorne Calvert
Lorne Albert Calvert, MLA was the 13th Premier of Saskatchewan, from 2001 to 2007. Calvert, was the leader of the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party from 2001 to June 6, 2009, when he was succeeded by Dwain Lingenfelter.In 1975, Calvert married Betty Sluzalo of Perdue, Saskatchewan. After attending...
, former MLA and cabinet minister Mark Wartman, former Reform Party National Councillor Nolan Berg, and Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff. Many other former members have also made their mark on Saskatchewan and on Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
such as lawyers, diplomats and journalists.
Annual events
SYP has four events each year, the biggest event of these being the Annual Christmas Session which takes place in Regina. At Session the members take part in a number of activities, which include debate in the Saskatchewan Legislature, a formal dinner with the Lieutenant Governor, cabinet elections and the annual budget is passed. Session is also the opportunity for the organization to debate and pass legislation that effects the operation of the organization. For example, each of the cabinet positions has a piece of legislation that governs the duties and responsibilities of that portfolio.The topics for debate are chosen by the members themselves at the event and are often related to topics that are of interest or are featured in the news. For example, switching to a nuclear-based energy system was a favourite debate resolution during the early 1990s. Other perennial topics include the death penalty, abortion, and the legalization of marijuana.
The three other events held throughout the year take place in March, May and November. This are called "Minis" because they are held over a weekend in each of the listed months and are like a Mini Session. The location of the March and May minis vary each year, but tend to be either a North/South town or city or an East/West town or city. These events do not involve legislation or a budget.
The November Mini is always held in Saskatoon and is the yearly Tri-Provincial event. Saskatchewan Youth Parliament invites the Youth Parliament of Manitoba
Youth Parliament of Manitoba
Established in 1922, Youth Parliament of Manitoba is a non-partisan, non-denominational, non-profit organization that educates youth in effective public speaking and the parliamentary process. It is open to all youth in the Canadian province of Manitoba who will be between 16 and 20 years old as...
and the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
The TUXIS Parliament of Alberta is one of a number of provincial model youth parliaments that has its origins in the "boys work" movement of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. TUXIS originally met under the name “Alberta Older Boy's Parliament”. The Alberta Older Boy's Parliament added...
to join them in a weekend of debating.
There are also Cabinet meetings held in January, July and September, as well as at each official event as a time for the Executive Council (Cabinet) to discuss the running of Saskatchewan Youth Parliament.
List of Premiers
The following are the individuals who have been the Premier of Saskatchewan Youth Parliament and the year they served.- 1985 - Scott Banda
- 1986 - Kenton Vaughan
- 1987 - Angie Banda
- 1989 - Ken Millard
- 1990 - Scott Quendack
- 1991 - Matt Cohen
- 1992 - Michael Gange
- 1993 - Mary Lou Kowalski
- 1994 - Troy Snider
- 1995 - Dawn Anhorn
- 1996 - Howie Millard
- 1997 - Andrew Smith
- 1998 - Tricia Kaminski
- 1999 - Kurt Gibb
- 2000 - Steven Lloyd
- 2001 - Nick Hill
- 2002 - Angela Zwaagstra
- 2003 - Matt Leisle
- 2004 - Matt Leisle
- 2005 - David Chevrier
- 2006 - Arielle Zerr
- 2007 - Jennifer Grondin
- 2008 - Joren Burton
- 2009 - Heather Chevrier
- 2010 - Michael Roche
- 2011 - Brett Estey
List of Speakers
The following are the individuals who have been the Speaker of Saskatchewan Youth Parliament and the year they were Speaker- 1992 - Corey Van Zandbergen
- 1993 - Anna Lee Fuhr
- 1994 - Michael Anhorn
- 1995 - Kris Kinar
- 1996 - Aaron Robertson
- 1997 - Fletcher Kent
- 1998 - Michael Zwaagstra
- 1999 - Michael Zwaagstra
- 2000 - Kurt Gibb
- 2001 - Steven "Zeke" Lloyd
- 2002 - Loriel Anderson
- 2003 - Angela Zwaagstra
- 2004 - Charles Devon
- 2005 - Matt Leisle
- 2006 - Jennifer Grondin
- 2007 - David Chevrier
- 2008 - Gillian Gee
- 2009 - Jordan Kostal
- 2010 - Brett Estey
- 2011 - Michael Roche
See also
- Western Canada Youth ParliamentWestern Canada Youth ParliamentThe Western Canada Youth Parliament is a biennial event that brings together delegations from the British Columbia Youth Parliament , the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta, the Saskatchewan Youth Parliament and the Youth Parliament of Manitoba for a four-day parliamentary session, usually during the...
- Youth Parliament of Canada/Parlement jeunesse du CanadaYouth Parliament of Canada/Parlement jeunesse du CanadaThe Youth Parliament of Canada/Parlement jeunesse du Canada was a youth model parliament that met bi-annually, and later annually, in the 1980s...
- History of Youth WorkHistory of Youth WorkThe history of youth work goes back to the birth of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, which was the first time that young men left their own homes and cottage industries to migrate to the big towns...
- Model parliamentModel parliamentA Model Parliament is a simulation of the parliamentary proceedings of a legislature or other deliberative assembly, often based upon the Westminster Parliamentary system...