In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Speakers of the House and Senate have launched the Speakers’ Speech Writing Contest.

Many of the milestones in Canadian history over the last 150 years have been marked by a speech. Sir John A. Macdonald’s impassioned plea for Confederation, the Speech from the Throne read by the Queen, and Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s address to Parliament following the signing of the Proclamation of the Constitution—these are just a few of the speeches that have captured the spirit of the nation at various intersections of Canadian history.

Young Canadians from across the country are invited to participate in the Speakers’ Speech Writing Contest. Through this national contest, students are being asked to mark the latest turning point in Canadian history, the 150th anniversary of Confederation, by writing a speech of their own answering the question: “What does Parliament mean to you?”

Three finalists will be selected from each age category and, along with a parent or guardian will be flown to Ottawa for two days of special programming in the nation’s capital.

Students interested in entering the contest are encouraged to visit the contest page to obtain further details and find out how to apply. For details relating to the Speakers’ Speech Writing Contest, please check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PARLyouth/app/941345315938094/

The contest closes on April 21, 2017.