The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Encounters with Canada

I rise with pleasure this afternoon to inform my honourable colleagues about an exciting and dynamic program, which hundreds of high school students across Newfoundland and Labrador are currently enjoying.

Encounters with Canada is a nation-wide Canadian Studies program which brings together young people aged 15-17, from across the country, for a week-long stay at the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre in Ottawa. Participants gain a better understanding of Canada's legal, political and cultural institutions. The program, established in 1982, offers nine different one-week programs which address such subject areas as sports and fitness, science and technology, and arts and culture.

Each year, 200 professionals and industry and even world leaders contribute to the program's success. Some prominent people who have participated include Prime Minister Jean Chr�tien, Canada's first female astronaut Roberta Bondar, and His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.

This year the Department of Education once again contributed $25,000 to allow students from Newfoundland and Labrador to take part in this wonderful program. While this amount usually guarantees an attendance rate of 144 students, this has been an extraordinary year as a total of 275 young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians were able to go to the Terry Fox Centre.

Encounters with Canada also welcomes teachers from throughout the country to participate in the sessions. Six teachers from this province have participated as monitors since September 2000.

The Youth Services Division, which is now with the Department of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, has participated in and supported the program since its inception.

Encounters with Canada is an exceptional learning experience for both the students and teachers and we are pleased to contribute to this very worthwhile program.

2001 04 11                              2:50 p.m.