Young British Columbians returned to take over the legislature in the final days of 2025.
BC Youth Parliament brings together 97 representatives between the ages 16 and 21 at the provincial legislature to learn about the parliamentary system.
The non-profit group has been holding the gathering in Victoria nearly every year since 1924, aside from some interruptions due to the Second World War and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members take on the roles of parliamentarians, including an elected premier, opposition leader, and deputy speaker.
They present bills and private member resolutions, and even participate in question period-style debates.
The organization said some past resolutions have included lowering the voting age and changing the province’s name to an Indigenous name.
The debates also include discussions about volunteer service projects the group will support in the coming year.
Isabella Harmel, who is in her fifth year with the organization and is serving as premier this year, said the gathering is a chance for members to have a say on what the organization will focus on in the coming year.
The 21-year-old University of Victoria student, who hopes to pursue a career in planning, said the organization brings together young people with a wide range of goals.
“The thing that all binds us together is a passion for service and for youth serving youth,” said Harmel.
Twenty-year-old Finn Thoms, from the Lower Mainland, said he studied political science for a couple years, but is now training to be a chef.
“We aren’t here to create politicians or anything. We’re here to create good informed citizens,” said Thoms.
Harmel said education can be an antidote for young people who may be disillusioned with political systems.
“We have 97 people sitting in that room right now that are passionate about this process and about these issues,” she said. “I think that the counter to any disillusionment that might be out there that we’ve found is education and engagement and allowing that learning to be hands-on,” she said.
Ermira Progri, who grew up in Burnaby, is the group’s minister of regional youth parliaments. The four smaller scale organizations host mock parliaments for teens as young as 14.
The 19-year-old Progri said she has watched first-year members transform during the gathering from being shy about speaking out in the legislature, to engaging actively in debates on bills.
“I think it’s a place where people can really find power within their voice,” said Progri.
This year’s gathering wraps up Dec. 31.
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