TUXIS Parliament of Alberta
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The TUXIS Parliament of Alberta (“TPA”) is one of a number of provincial model youth parliaments that has its origins in the "boys work" movement of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The TPA originally met under the name “Alberta Older Boy's Parliament”. The Alberta Older Boy's Parliament added “TUXIS” to its name in 1932. “TUXIS” stands for “you (‘U’) and ‘I’ training and service with Christ (‘X’) in the centre.” It is the last of these youth parliaments to retain its “TUXIS” appellation and maintain its Christian character; however, its membership is not restricted on the basis of religion.
Activities
The TPA holds an annual session from December 26 to 31 December. The focus of session is the parliamentary sittings where the members debate legislation and learn parliamentary procedure. The TPA also holds weekend conferences five times a year in each of February, March, May , September, and November.
The TPA participates in the Western Canada Youth Parliament. It also participated in the now defunct Youth Parliament of Canada/Parlement jeunesse du Canada.
Organizational Structure
The Executive Committee consists of the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Premier, and the Alternate Leader of the Opposition. They are elected at Session by the members of the parliament and serve a one year term. The Executive Committee is colloquially referred to as "The Front Four" and they run the parliament by appointing the Front Bench: Ministers and Secretaries for the Cabinet and Deputies and Directors on the Shadow Cabinet. The current Executive Committee, elected at the 86th Session, is Rocky Riggins (Premier), Benjamyn McKay (Deputy Premier), Meghan Lightle (Leader of the Opposition), and Elaine Hoekstra (Alternate Leader of the Opposition).
History
The first Session of the TPA was first held in the Legislative Chamber of the Provincial Government in Edmonton, from December 28 through the 30 December, 1920. The Mayor of Edmonton, D.M. Duggan, acted as Lieutenant Governor. Armour Ford was elected as the first Speaker. The first Premier was Edward Hunter Gowan. The Leader of the Opposition was James Robin Davidson.
Like many of the other Canadian Youth Parliaments, the TPA was sponsored by the Boys’ Work Board of the provincial Religious Education Council (“REC”). The REC was a coalition of religious organizations, the most significant of which was the United Church). The REC of Alberta ceased to exist in 1962. As a result, the TUXIS and Older Boy's Parliament of Alberta Alumni Society was formed. The members of this Society now provide sponsorship, including financial backing and continuity, of the TPA.
The TPA celebrated its eighty fifth Session in December 2004. Unlike most other Canadian Youth Parliaments founded during the same time, the TPA met continuously throughout the Great Depression and World War II. As a result, the TPA has the longest uninterrupted history of annual sessions of any youth parliament in Canada.
See also
- Western Canada Youth Parliament
- Youth Parliament of Canada/Parlement jeunesse du Canada
- History of Youth Work
External links
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