This week, young Islanders will have a unique opportunity to make their voices heard at the first ever Island youth event, YDAY. On Friday, young people from across PEI will share their ideas on a variety of topics and explore how they can be leaders within their communities. YDAY is bringing together more than 120 young people who want to make PEI an attractive place to work, grow and thrive. The event will generate ideas that policy makers and businesses can use to better address the needs of the youth labour market, and to shape future policy and programs.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced support of $51,500 through ACOA’s Business Development Program for YDAY. As previously announced, YDAY is also receiving support from the Government of Prince Edward Island through the Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning and from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce, the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and Collège Acadie.
YDAY is being held on Friday, October 21 at Holland College’s Centre for Community Engagement in Charlottetown. The full-day event has a robust agenda, which includes keynote speaker Candy Palmater, a Canadian comedian, activist, actress, writer, international speaker, and award-winning TV and radio personality; DJ Lonely Kid, an East Coast Music Awards and Music PEI Awards nominee; a catered barbeque lunch by Holland College’s Culinary Institute of Canada students; and an evening social.
Quotes
“Governments can learn a lot by listening to the concerns of young Canadians. When young people get involved in planning a better tomorrow, our future can only get brighter. The Government of Canada is pleased to support the YDAY conference, an important step in ensuring that Prince Edward Island retains its young people.”
- Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown
“The Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning places a strategic emphasis on youth and their needs, and as a Province, we will continue to work with young Islanders to assist them in making a successful transition to the workforce and to launch new careers here on Prince Edward Island. YDAY is a wonderful opportunity for our Island youth to be heard and engaged on matters that affect their lives now and into the future.”
- Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning
“The University of Prince Edward Island is grateful for the opportunity to support YDAY and its mission to help transform the narrative for youth and shape the island’s future. Young minds gather on our campus every day where they are encouraged to work together and produce new ideas and solutions to today’s problems. UPEI is excited for this historic event to take place and we look forward to hearing the recommendations and advice put forth at YDAY PEI."
- Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, UPEI
“Holland College is pleased to be hosting this event in the Centre for Community Engagement on our Prince of Wales Campus. At the college, we understand the importance of creating communities in which our young people can thrive. We are committed to ensuring that our leadership team, staff and faculty are provided with the information gathered on YDAY, so that we can implement changes where possible to better support Island youth as they work toward achieving their educational and career goals.”
- Dr. Brian McMillan, president of Holland College