Student becomes MLA for a day
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
Scott Hatton got the chance to see what it was like to be an MLA for the day as he and 78 other high school students from across Alberta were a part of Mr. Speaker’s MLA for a Day.
The Strathmore High School student represented the Strathmore-Brooks constituency and traveled to Edmonton April 12 – 13 to be a part of a number of events.
“I’m personally interested in politics and how the government works,” said Hatton. “I thought this was a good opportunity to get a better grip of how things go.”
Students who want to attend Mr. Speaker’s MLA for a Day have to fill out an application. Sometimes, if there is more than one applicant, students have to write a 100 word essay on why they want to go.
Hatton was automatically selected because no one else in Strathmore-Brooks applied.
The two days are designed to give Alberta students the chance to see what it means to be an MLA for a day through various activities.
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta and the Royal Canadian Legion sponsor the program.
Through the two-day program, Hatton had the opportunity to tour the legislature buildings, see a presentation about Achieves Canada from a fellow student, a question panel with three former MLA’s, participating in a debate in the house chamber, a question period with the speaker and meet their MLA’s.
“It’s not a well-known program, as it should be,” said Hatton. “The opportunity doesn’t come along that often, that you get to meet the speaker, the premier and the MLA’s unless you actively want to go and do that.”
Hatton said his favorite part of the two days was the questions with the speaker, Ken Kowalski, from Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock.
Hatton said Kowalski is very informal and relaxed and joked around during question period.
The debate the students participated in was on enforcing distracted driving and banning cell phone use in vehicles, something the legislature is currently facing.
Hatton was on the side debating against the bill, but the side for eventually prevailed as members from the Legion were on hand to decide who presented the better case.
Overall, Hatton said it was a good opportunity to meet people, hear the different views of people across the province and see how the government works.
“It’s great to explore different policies in government and it’s good to see how things work,” said Hatton. “It makes it a lot easier to understand the decisions that are being made today.”