Local student takes part in Ontario Legislative Page Program at Queen’s Park

By MARQUS DOWNEY

Every year, nearly 150 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in Ontario’s Legislative Page Program at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

As part of the program, the students serve as Pages at the Ontario Legislature. While doing their duties at Queen’s Park, the students are under the direction of the Page Program Coordinator who is a certified Ontario teacher. Pages also receive an honorarium during their term of duty.

The duties of a Page in the Ontario Legislature include being in the Chamber while government is in session, delivering documents to MPPs and offices at Queen’s Park, meeting with MPPs and also taking part in tutoring classes.

The Legislative Page Program in Ontario is designed for outgoing, high-achieving, community-involved students who have demonstrated responsibility and leadership.

East Toronto resident Taylor James is one of the students currently taking part in the program, and she described her time at Queen’s Park as positive and memorable.

“What drew me into the Page program was working at the Legislature. I was always interested in how laws were made because I want to be a lawyer,” said James.

“I’m proud of how much I was able to memorize, while also balancing my school work,” she said of her experience with the program.

Depending on the Queen’s Park Parliamentary Calendar, and when government is sitting, the Page program usually lasts two to four weeks but those dates are subject being shortened or lengthened.

Applications for the Ontario Legislative Page Program are accepted online only from April 15 to June 15, and from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15.

“A message I would give to future applicants is to not worry, just focus on studying and don’t be nervous around the Chamber,” said James.

For more information to find out how to apply for the program, please go to https://www.ola.org/en/visit-learn/programs/about-page-program