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Today's youths: a political force to helpshape ourtomorrows istory was made this month when 19 year-old Sam Oosterhoff won the Ni agara West-Glanbrook byelection, thus becoming the youngest member ever elected to Ontario Legislature. While I don't share MPP Oosterhoff' s political opinions, his passion for political participation is commendable and I offer my sincere congratula tions to him for putting his name forward as a candidate. Too often, young people feel they are not part of the political process. We often tell them they should vote after turning 18, but neglect to tell them to consider running as a candidate. While Millennials are possibly more aware of and en gaged in a wide array of political and social issues than previous generations, it is not mirrored by their propensity to vote in elections. Running as a candidate for elected office is probably even fur ther from mind. This is a terrible missed oppor tunity for them to help shape our political future -- one which will affect them more than any other age group right now. That is why I am inspired and hopeful when I meet young people who are politically engaged. For example, the incredible high school students who participate in my youth advisory group, the Oakville Provincial Youth Ad visory Committee (OPYAC), constantly astound 29 | T h u rs d a y , D e c e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 6 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .in s id e H A L T O N .c o m H Young people think in a different way and they young people on issues that matter to them and are far more adaptable to change and open to by encouraging them to add their voices to our new ideas. Our parliaments, boards, and coun political conversations. We should take every cils at all levels of government need them to be opportunity to ensure young people avail them Flynn involved. The responsibility does not lie solely selves fully of the democracy previous genera on our young people to take up the challenge, tions fought so hard to preserve. Oakville MPP however. Politicians, parents, and mentors of -- submitted by Kevin Flynn, MPP fo r Oakville and Minister o f Labour fo r Ontario me with their level of interest in community social, any type, have a role to play too by engaging and political issues. They have tremendous insight and can do much today to influence the political legacy they will inherit tomorrow In fact, a former OPYAC member ran as a candidate in the 2014 provincial election. I was F a cto ry Trained S e rv ic e Tech & E le ctro n ic Ign itio n S p e c ia lis ts delighted to see that he remained politically en gaged into his early 20s. 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