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Spotlight: The trip of a lifetime

Gift Lake Grade 9s go to Ottawa

Spotlight Staff
for Spotlight

Grade 9 students from Gift Lake School enjoyed the trip of their lifetime April 20-27 when they visited Ottawa as a part of the Encounters with Canada program.

The students visited Parliament Hill, toured museums and participated in activities and workshops along with over 90 other students from across Canada.

“It was the trip of a lifetime with a focus on Canadian politics,” says Grade 9 teacher Annette Stevens, who accompanied the students.

“After going through all the security procedures, students were invited into the House of Commons for Question Period, where they had the opportunity to see and listen to: the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper; Thomas Mulcair, the leader of the Official Opposition; Justin Trudeau, the new Liberal leader; as well as many other members of parliament.”

Gift Lake students worked with other Canadian students, young parliamentarians, a former Canadian ambassador to Guatemala and Chile, and the mayor of Ottawa.

Highlights of the trip included:

* a walking tour of Parliament Hill;

* sitting in the House of Commons with party leaders;

* visiting the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, P.Q.;

* visiting the Canadian War Museum;

* participating in interactive workshops;

* participating in the Parliamentarian Intern Program;

* a guided tour of the national region;

* visiting Rideau Hall and the residence of the Governor General of Canada;

* shopping at the Rideau Centre and the St. Laurent Shopping Centre;

* eating beavertails at the Ottawa Outdoor Market;

Students had to raise money for the trip. Once at Ottawa, their efforts were well worth it as they enjoyed a wide variety of activities and excursions for students, from historical and political to cultural and recreational.

The Encounters with Canada Program began in 1982 by the Canadian Unity Council. Its intent was to create a youth program that would raise awareness of Canada’s heritage and institutions. Its purpose is to also foster a better understanding of Canada among young Canadians.