The carbon tax, homelessness, and opioids.
These were some of the things on studentsB次元官网网址� minds as they asked Federal New Democrat Party leader Jagmeet Singh questions at Belmont Secondary School on Tuesday.
About 250 students gathered with Singh and Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor.
Singh opened his question and answer session with candid comments about some of the hardships he faced growing up such as family illnesses, tuition expenses and having to find ways to support his family.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not here today in front of you because I earned it on my own,B次元官网网址� Singh said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 only here today because people lifted me up.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE: Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh coming to Langford
He took questions about the environment, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, affordable housing, carbon tax, women in politics, and equal rights, to name a few.
The students came from a mixture of English and social studies classes and were engaged while he answered their questions.
Singh said he thought it was an honour to be able to speak with youths and hear their questions and concerns. He said he hopes they will think more about the future of Canada and feel optimistic about the fact that things can change.
B次元官网网址淚 was blown away by the fact that young people are concerned about housing as well,B次元官网网址� Singh said. B次元官网网址淭he fact that young people are worried about it is pretty troubling B次元官网网址� [it] shows you how serious the issue is.B次元官网网址�
Keagan Tait is a grade 11 student who helped introduce Singh and MacGregor on Tuesday. He said it was a privilege to be able to ask a party leader questions.
READ MORE: NDPB次元官网网址橲 Jagmeet Singh set to run in B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Burnaby South riding after nomination
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 very important for students our age and even younger to learn and engage in political discussion and learn about politics because we are the future of our country,B次元官网网址� Tait said.
Another grade 11 student who helped introduce the leaders B次元官网网址� Navya Pottumutu B次元官网网址� said she looked to Singh as an inspiration.
Pottumutu became a Canadian citizen about two weeks ago and she said Singh was a good example of someone who gives back to the country through his work as a politician and previous work as a lawyer.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 definitely shown me that no matter if youB次元官网网址檙e Canadian or youB次元官网网址檙e an immigrant that has turned into a Canadian, you can definitely do a lot more than what an average student might think,B次元官网网址� Pottumutu said. B次元官网网址淢y goal is to serve back to the country for everything itB次元官网网址檚 given me and my family.B次元官网网址�
Belmont Secondary School principal Jim Lamond said hosting political leaders is a good way to give young people an opportunity to ask questions.
B次元官网网址淎t the end of the day B次元官网网址� regardless of politics B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e local, provincial, federal, global leaders,B次元官网网址� Lamond said. B次元官网网址淲hy not give an opportunity for some of our youth to ask them questions that will hopefully spawn motivation, inspiration and multiple perspectives.B次元官网网址�
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
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