Singhampton teen accepted as legislative page
Aiden Campbell has been studying the names and faces of provincial members of parliament this March Break.
In between hockey games and helping out at home, the 14-year-old Singhampton resident is studying up for a two-week stint as a legislative page at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Aiden was provided flash cards with the names and faces of 107 members of provincial parliament (MPP) in preparation for his duties.
Beginning March 23, Aiden will be learning about provincial politics from the inside. He is one of 24 pages selected from more than 400 applicants through a highly competitive selection process. Aiden learned about the page program through fellow students who had been selected. He talked to his teacher about it and was encouraged to apply.
He filled out an application and wrote a 750-word essay about why he was a good candidate, outlining his community volunteer work, involvement in the school community at Nottawa Elementary School and personal interests. With a letter of recommendation from his principal and proof of good grades, Aiden learned he was selected for the program. Participants come from all over the province. They must be in Grade 7 or 8 and have an academic average of above 80 per cent.
He said he has some interest in politics but he will know more about how much interest after having experienced parliament in action.
“I’m excited for it, a little nervous though,” he said.
Pages have been working in the legislature since confederation, in 1867. They deliver messages and documents to MPPs and the Speaker and other legislative offices. They also fetch glasses of water, all for $15 per day. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, literally. Once a student has served as a page, even for one day, they are not eligible to serve again.
Participants are also schooled by a certified teacher in legislative process and bring math work with them so they don’t fall behind.
Pages wear a uniform and must report to Queen’s Park before 8 a.m. to dress and be inspected before heading in the chambers at 9 a.m. Their day ends between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
While in Toronto, Aiden will be staying in a hotel in Toronto. His parents, Leanne and Trent Campbell, will take turns staying with him.
The page program allows students to meet people from all over Ontario and do some sightseeing in Toronto.
Applications for the program are accepted twice a year with deadlines on November 15 and June 15.
