Darcel only Manitoban to sit on Prime Minister’s Youth Council

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This article was published 14/10/2016 (3617 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Joseph Darcel, Norwood resident, Nelson Mac Grad and University of Manitoba honours microbiology student, is in select company.

He is one of 15 Canadian youth from among 14,000 applicants to sit on the first ever Prime Minister’s Youth Council.

The council was chosen from applicants across Canada, aged 16 to 24 years, and will advise the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about policies and programs important to youth.

The massive pool was whittled down to 300, with each candidate producing a video explaining a leadership vision for Canada and particular policy interests. After video interviews with the PM’s Parliamentary Secretary and résumés to sell their innovative ideas for Canadian youth, anxious applicants awaited their fate.

Joseph made the final cut, and was the only Manitoban chosen. He was understandably excited.

“I am honoured to be selected on this team. I feel a huge sense of responsibility to do a great job.”

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister and Minister of Youth, oversaw the selections. He shared his vision on the PMO website: “I am excited to work with the Youth Council… to make clear to Canadian youth that there are many avenues for them to be the leaders of today.”

At their first council meeting in September, the new team discussed youth employment, environment and climate change, gender-based violence and youth service.

Joseph admits that he was starstruck upon first meeting Trudeau.

“He came in and the room went quiet. As the training went on, I was impressed with how well he listened to us and his desire to engage our voices,” he said.

For the next two years, the Youth Council will be immersed in Canadian issues, with unique access to policy leaders, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, cabinet ministers and other senior officials.

He credits formative experiences at Nordale School, Nelson McIntyre Collegiate and the Royal Canadian Cadet Program in helping him realize his potential and “develop a civic-minded sensibility to make a difference in the community.”

An aspiring politician, he currently serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Canadian Forces Reserves and teaches young cadets many of the lessons and skills that influenced him in his formative years.

As a voice for Canadian youth, with a direct pipeline to the PMO, what does Joseph intend to accomplish?

“I want to create a movement in which youth can share ideas and create a platform for their concerns, needs, ideas and insight.”

You can chat with this engaging young man during the Louis Riel School Division’s Career and Post-Secondary Symposium on Nov. 7 at the Norberry board office (900 St. Mary’s Rd.) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

To learn more about Joseph and his Council-mates, check out the Prime Minister’s Youth Council Website, (https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/prime-ministers-youth-council.html). He may be contacted at darcelj@.myumanitoba.ca

Adriano Magnifico is a community correspondent for St. Boniface. You can contact him at amagnif@mymts.net