The following statement was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment:

Interchange on Canadian Studies

I am pleased to rise in the House today, as the minister responsible for Youth Services, to inform my honourable colleagues of an opportunity currently being pursued by some of our province�s young people.

Through the Interchange on Canadian Studies, ten students from different regions across Newfoundland and Labrador are in North Bay, Ontario this week, for a national bilingual conference. The senior high students are meeting with their counterparts from across the country, to hear prominent speakers and share ideas and experiences on matters of significance to Canada.

Each year the conference is held in a different part of the country. With the location of North Bay this year, the conference is focused on the cultural heritage of Northern Ontario and the role it plays in Canada. The students will have the opportunity to listen to and interact with keynote speakers, as well as participate in debates and workshops.

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, through our Youth Services division, and Exchanges Canada of Canadian Heritage, coordinates and supports the programs that make such excursions possible. I am pleased that my department can play a role in making such events possible.

Our delegates to this years conference come from all regions of our province. They hail from Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Englee, York Harbour, Burgeo, Springdale, Gambo, Terrenceville, Bloomfield, Holyrood and Paradise. I would like to congratulate our group of ten on taking the initiative to become involved in activities that allow them to learn more about our country. I know they will represent Newfoundland and Labrador well.

2004 05 12                                        2:20 p.m.