When I first saw the ideas and proposals of the YBC4BG group, I was ecstatic.  These are the exact ideas I wanted to run on during my campaign for Mayor and had been pushing for during my first term on the District of Mackenzie Council.

 

Decisions are being made everyday at Council, Regional District, School Board and other elected tables that impact youth.  But the voices of youth are often not considered nor sought when these decisions are being made.  I am proud to have the endorsement of an organization working to address this challenge! 

 

A little about myself, I am a 32 year old currently finishing his first term on the District of Mackenzie Council.  I was 28 when first elected and experienced the reality of being the youngest person on Council by decades.  

 

I am currently a Masters student in a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program with a goal to work with Youth as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) after graduating.  Prior to my election I worked as a Child & Youth Worker for a local non-profit for almost three years, I also have my Bachelor of Education and taught in the schools of Mackenzie, which is the reason I originally moved to the community after growing up in Ontario.  

 

In my elected role I sought opportunities to expand my connections to regional bodies.  I sit on the BC Chapter of the Climate Caucus, sit on their smaller High Hazards Working Group and am a signatory of the Elbows Up for Climate initiative.  I also ran for election with the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) where I currently sit as Second Vice President. In this role I serve as Chair of the organization's resolutions committee and also serve as chair of the Mental Health and Addictions Signatory Group, bringing together leaders from across North Central BC to tackle the Mental Health and Addictions Issues the region is facing.     

 

I commit to pushing for governance in Mackenzie and the wider Northern BC region that builds up, supports, reflects and advocates for the youth of the region! 

​

Actions taken on council/ during my term for Youth:

 

1) In my first term on Council I proposed, enacted and held the role of the first ever " Education and Youth Liaison" position for the District of Mackenzie's Mayor and Council.  In this role I established the "Mackenzie Youth Roundtable" that brought together Youth Organizations in Mackenzie to talk about how the community can better support Youth. 

 

2) I proposed through the District of Mackenzie Council a resolution through the NCLGA and then UBCM processes on the need for more Rural Foundry Centres.  This resolution passed all bodies and is now the official position of UBCM for advocacy.  

 

3) I am the Founding President of the Youth Wellness Society of Mackenzie, a non-profit intended to work with the youth of Mackenzie to lead full, well and social lives, while supporting them in finding their full potential.

 

4) I was first elected to the District of Mackenzie Council at the age of 28 and have the experience of the unique challenges of being a youth aged Councillor.

 

Future Actions I Will Pursue relating to Youth If Elected:

 

1) Actively promote, foster, mentor youth to run for office moving forward. 

 

2. Plan and execute the 2026 Mackenzie Mental Health Summit, with one day of the summit being focused solely on youth in Mackenzie and their mental health and wellness needs.  

 

3. Push for the District of Mackenzie to utilize the Canada Summer Jobs program to hire youth to give them the experience and opportunity to work in local government.

 

4. Continue to advocate for the establishment of a Foundry location physically in Mackenzie to support the wellness of Mackenzie's youth.