TUXIS Parliament of Alberta

The TUXIS Parliament of Alberta is the longest continuously running Youth Parliament in Canada and for the last century, has represented the youth of Alberta from its diverse communities and ridings. Our Parliament engages youth across the province in leadership activities, professional development, developing critical thinking, public speaking, and informing them about the parliamentary process. Our Youth Parliament works closely with MLAs, government officials, community leaders, and our esteemed alumni, to foster youth representative in provincial government by hosting professional development workshops, advocacy events, an annual internship, conferences, and our flagship event, the Winter Session, which features week-long debate in the Alberta Legislature on important issues.

Our members, Youth Representatives, represent the youth of their provincial riding, and engage in projects to empower youth, support community development, and enhance youth governance. The Youth Representatives take these experiences from their riding to the Alberta Legislature every year in December for the Winter Session, to be the youth voice of their riding. Here, they create and analyze youth legislation, debate that legislation, network with other Youth Representatives and MLAs, and take part in skill-building workshops. The insight and policy recommendations they gain from the Winter Session are then implemented the following year with the support of senior Parliament Executives (Cabinet). The cycle repeats year after year with new and returning Representatives.

Our Executive Team, or Cabinet, not only represents their riding as a Youth Representative, but also spearheads the creation of leadership programs designed to equip youth with the skills, platform, and network to be champions for change. Similar to the Alberta Government, our Cabinet runs the Youth Parliament as Ministers (executives) each with a specific portfolio (Minister of Finance for banking, Minister of External Affairs for community engagement, Minister of Education for debate training, etc.). Cabinet Ministers provide strategic vision for the Parliament’s projects, co-create new initiatives to engage youth, and alongside a team of leaders from across the province. These include, but are not limited to:

- Help organize the annual flagship event - the Winter Session from December 26-31
- Help organize the annual Parliamentary Shadow Program Internship from July to August
- Engage with MPs, MLAs, and community leaders
- Plan community service projects
- Initiate volunteer initiatives and engaging programming for youth empowerment
- Engage in fundraising and grant writing
- Create youth legislation
- Host internal team/community conferences
- Facilitate and conduct professional development workshops

Our mission is to create a civically aware, and engaged next generation of Albertans, who as voters can change the course of Canadian/Albertan politics. We do this by equipping young Albertans with the skills to succeed professionally, provide opportunities to amplify the youth voice and make meaningful impacts to youth policy.