SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
It's probably not that surprising that Yellowknife-raised Angus Wilson is majoring in political science.
Angus Wilson: Is a page in the Red Chamber of the Senate of Canada. |
The 19 year old, in his third year at the University of Ottawa, was one of 15 university students from across Canada to be selected last fall to work as a page in the Red Chamber of Senate of Canada.
Wilson is not without experience, having taking part in the page program at the NWT legislative assembly in grades 9 and 10, but did not expect this trend would continue into early-adulthood.
A typical day in the Senate varies depending on what's on the schedule. Sometimes there are special events like a Speech from the Throne or royal assent where a bill crafted in the House of Commons is turned into law. Other days are filled with committee meetings.
He helps prepare documents, passes messages and provides water to the senators.
Of course, there's also classes, studying and exams to balance on top of all this. Wilson finished his last exam of the semester on Tuesday.
"When the Senate is sitting we'll be there as well," said Wilson.
So far the job has been awesome, he said.
"The Senate is rarely televised but sometimes we're on the other side and if you can see us we're doing our jobs badly."
Wilson graduated from Sir. John Franklin High School. When he was in Grade 11 he took part in the Forum for Young Canadians, where youth from across Canada are invited to Ottawa to explore the political process and go behind the scenes at Parliament.
"I met some of the pages there and it seemed kind of interesting but I promptly forgot about it," said Wilson.
It was only later, while working as a tour guide in the legislative assembly, that he talked to a visitor from New Brunswick who had once been part of the Senate page program.
"I was talking to her about it and I thought it looked pretty cool," said Wilson.
Pages are cautioned not to show any party affiliation or post political views through social media. They are supposed to be impartial but each page wears a pin as part of their uniform showcasing the flag of their home province or territory.
The seriousness of the job doesn't stop Wilson from having a little fun once in a while.
"When I first moved to Ottawa from Yellowknife someone asked me how our cars run in the winter. I told them we use miles of extension cords and just keep them plugged in all the time while driving," he said.
"They believed me."
