Newcastle student shares experience as legislative page. NEWCASTLE -- Newcastle's Andrew Hodgins served as a legislative page at at Queen's Park in Toronto in March. April 9, 2013. Submitted photo
Ajax student completes term as legislative page
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- Pickering student completes term at Queen's Park
CLARINGTON -- Andrew Hodgins, a Grade 8 student from Newcastle who attends College Park Elementary School in Oshawa, served as a legislative page at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto from March 18 to March 28.
In five quick questions, Andrew tells about his experience.
1. How does one go about becoming a legislative page?
Well, first you must be in Grade 7 or 8 and maintain a minimum average of 80 per cent or a level 4 academic standing in all your school work. Second, you need to have a letter of recommendation from your school teacher and your principal. Third, you need to be able to communicate with and relate to all types and groups of people. Last, you apply by completing an application and submitting an essay telling about your involvement in the community and your achievements.
2. What does a page do?
A page is a messenger, a mail man and a water delivery service wrapped up in one Grade 7 or 8 student. Pages carry water, notes, documents and the occasional package to and from the MPPs (members of provincial Parliament) and offices within Queen's Park and the Whitney block. Within the chamber, they also deliver bills, motions, petitions and reports by committees to the Speaker of the House and the clerks. They retrieve notes to and from the MPPs for the Hansard. We also spent time in the page quarter's classroom with our teacher, Ms. Tedford, learning about legislative process and the inner workings of government. We got to meet with key government leaders, Queen's Park personnel and have lunch with the MPP from our riding.
3. What did you enjoy the most about being a page?
The thing I enjoyed most about being a page is seeing how government works first hand, meeting new people and talking to the MPPs.
4. What was the most important thing you learned?
The most important thing I learned as a page was how to be professional, thorough and diligent in everything I do.
5. Would you recommend the program to other students?
Yes. Totally. Absolutely. The legislative page program is the experience of a lifetime. It gives you work experience and lets you be involved government up close while making friends that last a lifetime.
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