ADVENTURES in CITIZENSHIP 2014
Posted by Gurpreet (Garry) Thind
on May 20, 2014
On May 7th 2014, Rotarian Garry Thind took 4 students and 2 teachers from Kwantlen Park Secondary School to Victoria for a tour to Legislative Assembly.
They took the 9am Ferry and reached Parliament building at around 11:15am. The tour office gave them a quick tour of the Parliament building. The students were really excited and were amazed to see how well this building is maintained even though it's built in mid 1800's.
After the tour everyone was escorted to dining room after going through security check where Hon. Minister of Education Peter Fassbender joined the group and had lunch with the everyone. Students were then given the opportunity to ask questions to the minister.
After lunch everyone went to the guest section of house where they got opportunity to see how the question answer period takes place. Mr. Fassbender announced everyone's name in the house as his guests.(As a result they are now noted in the house record (Hansard) )
After the question answer period Mr. Fassbender introduced the group with the speaker of Parliament Hon. Linda Reid. Group took pictures with Speaker and Minister Fassbender. Speaker presented everyone a pin of Parliament as a token.
Students were given a very quick tour of downtown Victoria and they took the 5:00pm Ferry back.
On May 20th the Students and Margaret Ackroyd,the Dept head for Social Studies attended our meeting and provided a slide show of sites from their trip. They were truly appreciative of the experience indicating how much it had broadened their understanding of our parliament and an appreciation for our democratic society. The over-whelming comment was to keep the program going so that more students can have the experience.
Here are some of the Photos taken more are in the Photo Album.1. Students with Education Minister Hon Peter Fassbender and Linda Reid the Speaker of the House. 2. Steps of the legislature and 3 Rotarians Gary Thind,Duane Buchanan and president John Edwards with the Students and Teacher at our May 20th meeting.
