Young voters group seeking more 'vision and direction' from P.E.I. government

Young Voters of P.E.I. joined a public policy consultation hosted by P.E.I.'s governing Liberals Wednesday night, looking for some information on how they intend to keep young people in the province.

The Young Voters of P.E.I,, a non-partisan group youth voter engagement group, had encouraged its members to come to the session, heldat West Royalty Community Centre in Charlottetown.

JesseHitchcock, who runs the group, said their focus is on influencingpolicy to benefit more young people on the Island.

She said that while the meetings are a good start, she would like to see the government follow through on policy decisions that are discussed.

"Just looking to see, you know, what gets compiled from the meetings and then where we can go from there and have some vision and direction," she said.

"Especially with regards to attracting more youth and keeping youth here, and how we can make this an attractive place for young people to live."

'A path going forward'

This was the second of five such meetings scheduled across the Island.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan spoke with constituents about what steps the government should be taking to make P.E.I. a better place.

MacLauchlan said that the party wanted to"identify a path going forward," through the public meeting.

"[We] spend a lot of time in communities and talking to people in their workplaces and so on," he said.

"That's where we're getting the broader interactions that will inform the priorities and positions of the party."

'Really good exchange'

Throughout the night people were asked to talk to each other about broad ideas of what the future of the Island should look like.

The rural-urban divide, the need for improved transportation and green technology were all discussed.

Brian Chambers worked in politics with the Alberta government and at the federal level.

He said gatherings like this gives people an opportunity to share their views and listen to what others have to say.

"I think it was a really good exchange. I was really impressed," Chambers said.

"The feeling that people have, they feel very strong about Prince Edward Island and they want to do something that's going to enhance the communities that we live in."

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