The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, met with members of the Premier’s Youth Council today to discuss a number of economic and social issues that impact young people in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Premier Ball was joined by several provincial Cabinet ministers at today’s meeting, where attendees addressed issues including:
- Youth mental health and addictions, as a follow-up to a recent high-profile public questionnaire on the topic;
- Employment and small business, including a discussion on how to encourage and support entrepreneurship and internships;
- Violence prevention and supports;
- Accessibility for persons living with disabilities in light of government’s commitment to introduce new accessibility legislation; and
- Food self-sufficiency, in light of The Way Forward commitment to increase food self-sufficiency to at least 20 per cent by 2022 and the recent release of joint work plans related to aquaculture and agriculture.
The Premier’s Youth Council was created in 2017 as a body of up to 25 young people, aged 16-24, to provide advice to the Premier by bringing a youth perspective to select topics of importance.
Quotes
“I created the Premier’s Youth Council with an aim of providing a formal outlet for our province’s young people to provide valuable input on matters of importance to them. Today’s discussions were frank and enlightening and we will consider what we heard as we make important economic and social policy decisions in the coming months. I thank the members of the council for attending today. Their passion for Newfoundland and Labrador and their solid grasp of the issues we face are inspiring and further proof that this province will be in good hands for years to come.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“As Co-chair of the Premier’s Youth Council I am proud to have been a part of today’s productive and successful discussions amongst members of the government and my fellow council members. The council consists of bright, confident, and well-spoken youth who are not only leaders of the future, but are leaders of today. I am honoured to be one of the elected co-chairs of such an impressive group of young people and I thank the Premier for bringing us together. I also want to thank the government for including us and truly listening to us when we have something to say. 2019 has just begun and as co-chair I can assure that the Premier’s Youth Council will continue to contribute significantly to our Provincial Government and to our province.”
Raylene Mackey
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council
“The Premier’s Youth Council is an important tool for providing the Provincial Government with a new outlook. Young adults with fresh perspectives are the future of our province and listening to youth can truly help policy-makers shape better times ahead. Ultimately, the conversations and opinions provided today will help keep valuable youth in our province and, in the end, aid the government in its quest of building a stronger tomorrow. Thanks to Premier Ball and each and every member of the council for volunteering and coming together.”
Mark Murdoch
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council
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Learn more
Premier Ball Creates Youth Council and Invites Applications
Premier Ball Announces Members of Youth Council
Media contact
Jason Card
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca