DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (Hansard), Friday, May 14, 2008 - Two Minute Statement

          J. Horgan: Before the clock starts, I'd like to say how delighted I am to be following the member for Kelowna-Mission today.

          Things have certainly changed since we were in school. I can remember that back in my days at Reynolds high school, an outstanding field trip was a trip to the Royal B.C. Museum. How times have changed. For one student at Belmont Secondary School from my community of Langford, the totally awesome field trip this year will be an Arctic expedition as part of the youth climate change Arctic voyage.

           Students and staff at Belmont applied to the British Council Canada and were one of 15 Canadian schools accepted to participate in an amazing international adventure this coming September that will bring students, artists, scientists and educators together for a trip through the Arctic. Their route will take them from Reykjavik, Iceland, around Cape Farewell on the southern tip of Greenland and along the coast of Baffin Island to Clyde River.

           They will be travelling on the motor vessel Akademik Shokalskiy, which I am told is a perfect vessel for education and entertainment. The vessel is equipped with a lecture hall, a library, a lounge, a sauna, an open bridge, kayaks and Zodiacs. It sounds like the Speaker's office, hon. Speaker.

           The expedition will make almost daily stops for science and arts projects and community visits, all of this focused on the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic.

           Belmont was the only school chosen from British Columbia - save and except Carson Graham, which was a late entry. Their proposal was so integrated within the whole arts and science curriculum at Belmont that the British Council Canada accepted that proposal. The plan calls for Belmont students and staff to communicate its project work not only with students within Belmont but with other schools in Victoria and right across the province.

           Early this summer, after several months of preparation, the expedition organizers and school staff will select from the ground crew that one student who will get to have the totally awesome Arctic adventure. The voyage will equip young Canadians for all the challenges of the Arctic and will provide them with the tools to be ambassadors for climate change.

           Would the House please congratulate Belmont and that one student who will be selected to be an ambassador for climate change in British Columbia.