Student from local community participates
OTTAWA – “Its lights, camera, action”, said Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior. “Sitting in my Chamber seat in the House of Commons, I watch Miss Jessica Morassut of Castlegar and her colleagues from across Canada execute their duties as Parliamentary Pages”.
The camera captures the Speaker of the House of Commons, a Member rises to ask a question, the Clerk of the House makes notes and a House of Commons Page delivers an important message to the PM or an MP. “These are the sights, sounds and pace that Jessica experiences every day”, said Atamanenko.
“Pages play a key role in the communications network on Parliament Hill. “I am particularly pleased to see a graduate from the high school that I taught at working at the House of Commons”, stated the BC MP.
Every year, across Canada, students are selected from high schools and CEGEPS (Post Secondary Education Institution in Quebec). While they begin their studies at a university in Ottawa, they serve in the House of Commons gaining experience in the country’s problems and solutions. “They are professional, non-partisan, prompt and efficient and their service has become a hallmark of the House of Commons”, said Atamanenko. “I encourage students to apply for this program as the experience is well worth it”.
“Being a page is a unique experience that takes living in Canada’s capital to a whole new level, as we get to witness our nation’s history in the making. I’ve enjoyed working in the bilingual environment of the House of Commons, and getting to know all the pages who have come from across the country,” said Jessica Morassut.
Each candidate must:
Apply to a university in the National Capital Region.
be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
be graduating from a secondary school (with no academic interruptions) and beginning full-time university studies in September 2010;
have an overall academic average of at least 80%;
have a superior knowledge of both official languages (as evaluated by the House of Commons); and
Learn more at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/hocpage - APPLICATION DEADLINE - December 7, 2009