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British Columbia Youth Parliament began as the TUXIS Older Boys’ Parliament, meeting for the first time in 1924. After the Second World War, the Older Boys’ Parliament began to expand, evantually becoming independent of past ties to the United Church of Canada. In 1974, partly due to a change to allow the admittance of female members, the organisation changed its name to become British Columbia Youth Parliament. In 2007, BCYP will be holding its 70rd Session.
Every year, between December 27th and 31st, 95 representatives of youth organisations from across British Columbia (the “Parliamentarians”) gather at the Legislative Chambers in Victoria for the annual session of British Columbia Youth Parliament. Members sit as independents- not representing any political party and voting according to their individual consciences on all issues. They learn about parliamentary process, debate topics of interest, and plan numerous activities for the upcoming year. Proposed activities are presented in the form of government bills; once passed they must be put into effect. This is where BCYP differs from other Youth Parliaments in that BCYP is in no way a "model" or "mock" parliament; our legislation actually translates into real and positive action in the community.
All 95 of our members are volunteers; people who sacrifice a week of their winter vacation to debate and legislate the projects we attempt as well as sacrificing the countless days, weeks, and months to follow through with them. Why do we do it?
Simply because we can and more importantly, because we care.
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