The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and members of the provincial Cabinet, today wrapped-up two days of in-person meetings with the Premier’s Youth Council where they engaged in valuable discussions on issues facing the province and youth in particular.
While the Premier’s Youth Council has met virtually over the pandemic, the two-day meetings represented the first in-person discussions since 2020. Topics discussed included:
- Youth retention
- Mental health
- Come Home 2022
- Immigration
- Reconciliation
The Council consists of up to 25 people between the ages of 16 and 24 who live in the province. To get different views, consideration for appointees is given to gender-balance and representation of the province’s large geographic area and various communities.
Members of the Premier’s Youth Council are listed in the backgrounder below.
Quotes
“The interests of youth are embedded in the work of our government. The Premier’s Youth Council is a critical voice into fully understanding the matters that are important to our youth and to getting their perspectives on how we best navigate our path forward.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“After two years the Premier’s Youth Council is elated to be meeting in person again. The pandemic has provided the council with a unique opportunity to reflect on priorities of youth in the province and prepare to share with ministers and Premier Furey all while connecting and creating friends. As co-chair, I am proud of these youth and their commitments to Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Katherine Dibbon
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council
“I was very excited to participate in these discussions as co-chair. At the turn of the 20th century Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier said that the coming century belonged to Canada – our discussions with government as the Premier’s Youth Council is to ensure that the 21st century belongs to Newfoundland and Labrador. Each and every member is dedicated to bettering the province and I am energized and encouraged by our meeting.”
Benjamin Oates
Co-chair, Premier’s Youth Council
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Media contact
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Members of the Premier’s Youth Council
- Noah Briffett – Pasadena
- Mira Buckle – Corner Brook
- Blake Colbran – Marystown
- Michael Coombs – St. Alban’s
- Katherine Dibbon – St. John’s
- Elliott Dicks – Deer Lake
- Andrew Dogurga – St. John’s
- Sarah Duraid – Gander
- Julian Edwards – St. John’s
- Nicholas Ellis – Winterton
- Erica Evely – Victoria
- Leann Goodyear – Lumsden
- Shealah Hart – Northern Arm
- Amelia Jones – Forteau
- Emily Laite – Gander
- Ryan McFarlane – Deer Lake
- Kirby Mouland – Musgrave Harbour
- Benjamin Oates – St. John’s
- Joslyn Park – McIvers
- Lesley Pilgrim – St. Anthony
- Courtney Roberts – Happy Valley-Goose Bay
- Emma Whelan – Paradise
- Jack White – St. John’s
- Julia White – St. John’s
- Nathan Young – Torbay