November 16th, 2017

For Immediate Release-

Legislative Page Program

Parliamentary Protocol and Public Relations Branch

Toronto, Ontario

M7A 1A2

 

LOCAL GRADE 8 STUDENT AT QUEEN’S PARK!

Davis Gates, a student at Doon Public School is starting his term of duty on November 14, 2017 for a period of five weeks as a Legislative Page at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto. During his term of duty, he will serve as a messenger on the floor of the Legislative Chamber, act as Page Captain, meet key parliamentary figures and learn about Ontario’s parliamentary system of government.   

Each Legislative Page earns their spot in the program by submitting an application that included an essay outlining their achievements, involvements and suitability for the program and requires the support of their school, principal and teachers.   Davis highlighted his school and extra-curricular activities, his leadership skills, his award recognitions and his community service.  Davis plays hockey, baseball and is a competitive golfer.  Davis has volunteered at the Food Bank, with the House of Friendship and at his golf club with junior golfers.  

Each Page must study and learn the faces, names and locations of the 107 MPPS before arriving at Queen’s Park for their first day.  Legislative Pages selected from across the province come together at Queen’s Park; they develop long lasting friendships and meet fellow students with similar interests as they participate in this unique educational program.

During a typical day in the program, Pages arrive at Queen’s Park at approximately 8:00 am, with their day sometimes extending to 6:00 pm.  In the morning they dress in their uniforms and prepare the Legislative Chamber for the morning’s debates. As the day progresses, Pages are involved in a number of activities including delivering messages and water for the MPPS in Chamber, taking classes in legislative process and mathematics, and meeting with key legislative players such as the party leaders, their own MPP representative and the Speaker of the House.

The Legislative Page Program is open to students in grades 7 or 8 who have an interest in current affairs, have an academic average of 80% or higher and get along well with their peers and adults. For more information on Davis’s  involvement in the Legislative Page program and/or the program itself, please contact the program at 416-325-7457 or pageprogram@ola.org.