Editor:
On Feb. 19, I stood in front of council as CAO Emanuel Machado administered my oath of office. On June 18, I read my letter to council thanking them for the opportunity. Gibsons is unique: they’re the only municipality in the province that has a youth councillor position.
My major outcome from this position has been learning about the function of a municipality. I had the pleasure to not just meet but get to know the hard-working staff and councillors and see how they work together. I met many people on the Coast, which allowed me to expand my involvement in the community. Speaking at the Elphinstone Community Association, co-hosting a Green New Deal town hall, and bringing a future speaker to Elphinstone Secondary to talk about climate change are all initiatives not affiliated with the town, but possible with the connections that were brought to me. The most memorable event during my term was meeting with the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, who was very supportive of the youth councillor positions.
Utilizing the position, the youth councillors were able to connect the school and the town. We opened up the possibility of compost pickup at the school, connected the environmental club to the community, and shared the Cape Town challenge with the school.
I applied for the youth councillor position with politics in mind. As I left, I was thinking about the people I met. Not one person I met thought young people were too naive or inexperienced to be involved in politics. Everybody was supportive.
Three hundred words can’t describe my experience. I look forward to seeing what the next youth councillors can accomplish. Thank you to Gibsons council and staff for giving me this opportunity.
Jason Lewis, Gibsons
