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Rural youth dialogues will be held in small towns all over
BC.
The forums, presented by Community Futures, allows youth aged
16-25 to voice their opinions on why young adults want to leave
rural areas, as well as solutions why they should stay.
Students from PHSS attended the dialogue held on March 29
at North Island College and discussed solutions to keep youth
in Port Hardy after graduation.
The youth brainstormed on many different reasons why they
should move to a larger city after graduation; however, they
narrowed it down to five major reasons. These five included the
fact that Port Hardy does not have enough stable jobs, nor does
it offer enough recreation programs and facilities. Also included
in these reasons were Port Hardy’s isolated location, the
social problems that afflict many Port Hardy residents and the
lack of education opportunities both for secondary and post-secondary
school.
The students and other young adults who attended the forum
did not find many valid solutions to their reasons for leaving.
They did, however, vote on the top five solutions. The youth
wanted more courses offered at North Island College, lower taxes,
a new recreational community hall, cheaper transportation rates
(flight or bus) and a bus that travels throughout the North Island
during the summer.
Port Hardy held the third youth dialogue in BC. Seven other
rural communities will be participating for a total of ten towns.
A report will then be drawn up incorporating the suggestions
from youth from all ten towns and presented at the National Youth
Conference in Quebec. |
