Government Services
May 24, 2011

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Harry Harding, Minister of Government Services:

Gambo Student Is Provincial Winner of Financial Fitness

I am pleased to rise today to announce that Ms. Amber Dyke of Gambo is the provincial winner of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ Financial Fitness Challenge Contest. Amber is a Grade 12 student at Smallwood Academy who will be attending Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador in the fall to study pre-pharmacy.

Amber was one of 7,500 young people from across Canada who entered the contest in February to prove their financial fitness knowledge through a series of online questions.

The challenge was open to Canadians between the ages of 15 and 21. Participants were asked questions about budgeting, saving and investing and were also encouraged to learn more about other smart financial practices. And as the provincial winner of the contest, Amber won an Apple iPad.

Contests such as the Financial Fitness Challenge are designed to raise awareness about the importance of positive and healthy financial practices. We believe that teaching our young people smart financial behaviours now will help them remain financially responsible through adulthood.

Even though this year’s contest is over, I encourage young people to continue to visit the site, www.financialfitnesschallenge.ca, and to use its interactive features to share important financial awareness tips and knowledge. The Canadian Securities Administrators will offer this contest again next year and I am looking forward to seeing even more interest by our young people.

I congratulate Amber for her success and I am sure that all Honourable Members will agree with me that she has a bright future.

2011 05 24                                                                           1:50 p.m.