Celebrating Children at the Senate
Handstands and paper airplanes in the Red Chamber?
Maybe not on a regular day — but this was National Child Day.
As cadets lined up at the entrance preparing their mini-Speaker’s parade, young gymnasts from Unigym Aylmer pulled handstands on senators’ desks to get ready for a ba ck-flipping performance in front of hundreds of local schoolchildren.
Students crowded round their hosts, Senators Jim Munson, Yonah Martin and Terry Mercer, asking to have their paper airplanes autographed in an animated room of smiles and laughter.
National Child Day commemorates the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and ratified by Canada in December 1991.
The annual event showcases the diversity and accomplishments of Canadian youth.
“My main message to you is one of inclusion,” Senator Munson told the crowd.
“It means reaching to out to all children in Canada — from aboriginal children, to Syrian refugee children.”
This year also featured musical and theatrical performances by kids, ranging from the Ottawa Children’s Choir’s bright rendition of Canada’s national anthem, to the singing, dancing and theatrics of Gatineau’s Artishow.
“As a former educator, I am especially reminded today how much I miss my students and being a teacher,” said Senator Martin.
“By your presence in the Chamber, like my former students in the classroom, you inspire me and give all of us a great sense of hope. Hope in our future and hope for a better world.”
Children had the chance to hear from a range of inspiring speakers, reminding them of their power and potential as the future of Canada.
Eva von Jagow shared her efforts to improve access to healthy, affordable food for children and youth in Canada’s Far North through the charity she founded, DueNORTH.
Thomas Ribeiro, a Laval high school student who received first place honours at this year’s Super Expo-sciences Hydro-Québec explained his “Super Plant” project which focuses on a novel, cost-effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Joshua Salt, a young musician currently studying at Algonquin College, sang in Cree and played a song of love of forgiveness on the keys.
“Children not only identify meaningful problems — such as social injustice, rejection, violence or discrimination — but may also have the best solutions to solve problems,” said Senator Mercer.
“If they had more power, they would actually have the will to make that change and fight for what is right — not just for what is profitable.”
From implementing Canada’s human rights obligations to children, to combatting evolving challenges like cyberbullying, the Senate has often been a voice for children in Parliament, particularly through the work of the Senate Committee on Human Rights.
Click here to read Senator Mercer’s comments in the chamber.
THE PUBLIC GALLERY
Grace Kabamba, student
Bridget Slinn, Cadet Petty Officer Second Class
JJ Potvin, student
Eva von Jagow, DueNORTH
Joshua Salt
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Celebrating Children at the Senate
Handstands and paper airplanes in the Red Chamber?
Maybe not on a regular day — but this was National Child Day.
As cadets lined up at the entrance preparing their mini-Speaker’s parade, young gymnasts from Unigym Aylmer pulled handstands on senators’ desks to get ready for a ba ck-flipping performance in front of hundreds of local schoolchildren.
Students crowded round their hosts, Senators Jim Munson, Yonah Martin and Terry Mercer, asking to have their paper airplanes autographed in an animated room of smiles and laughter.
National Child Day commemorates the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and ratified by Canada in December 1991.
The annual event showcases the diversity and accomplishments of Canadian youth.
“My main message to you is one of inclusion,” Senator Munson told the crowd.
“It means reaching to out to all children in Canada — from aboriginal children, to Syrian refugee children.”
This year also featured musical and theatrical performances by kids, ranging from the Ottawa Children’s Choir’s bright rendition of Canada’s national anthem, to the singing, dancing and theatrics of Gatineau’s Artishow.
“As a former educator, I am especially reminded today how much I miss my students and being a teacher,” said Senator Martin.
“By your presence in the Chamber, like my former students in the classroom, you inspire me and give all of us a great sense of hope. Hope in our future and hope for a better world.”
Children had the chance to hear from a range of inspiring speakers, reminding them of their power and potential as the future of Canada.
Eva von Jagow shared her efforts to improve access to healthy, affordable food for children and youth in Canada’s Far North through the charity she founded, DueNORTH.
Thomas Ribeiro, a Laval high school student who received first place honours at this year’s Super Expo-sciences Hydro-Québec explained his “Super Plant” project which focuses on a novel, cost-effective approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Joshua Salt, a young musician currently studying at Algonquin College, sang in Cree and played a song of love of forgiveness on the keys.
“Children not only identify meaningful problems — such as social injustice, rejection, violence or discrimination — but may also have the best solutions to solve problems,” said Senator Mercer.
“If they had more power, they would actually have the will to make that change and fight for what is right — not just for what is profitable.”
From implementing Canada’s human rights obligations to children, to combatting evolving challenges like cyberbullying, the Senate has often been a voice for children in Parliament, particularly through the work of the Senate Committee on Human Rights.
Click here to read Senator Mercer’s comments in the chamber.
THE PUBLIC GALLERY
Grace Kabamba, student
Bridget Slinn, Cadet Petty Officer Second Class
JJ Potvin, student
Eva von Jagow, DueNORTH
Joshua Salt