Each year, as Canada’s federal government develops its budget, high school students are invited to provide input on the allocation of financial resources. The Student Budget Consultation project gives participants a chance to learn about government priorities, the different levels of jurisdiction, and the opinions of various parties and stakeholders on the allocation of the nation’s $300 billion budget.
The Venture class of Hamilton District Christian High in Ancaster, Ontario, researched issues that came up during the October 2015 election and identified areas that were most important to the students as a group, which they then researched to prepare a class budget position.
On March 30, Filomena Tassi, member of parliament (MP) representing the riding of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas met with the class and listened as students presented their arguments for why areas such as environment, infrastructure, First Nations, and refugees should each be priorities for Canadians.
Tassi responded to each of the items and the arguments the class had made for each and spoke about her work as an MP. A comment that struck the students the most was, “The day I go to work and don’t feel grateful for the opportunity to serve the people in my riding is that day I shouldn’t be there.”
Following their meeting, Tassi tweeted, “So impressed with Gr.10 Venture class @HDCH_Info. Your budget proposal & comments showed your hard work. Brilliant!”