Article by Chris Boyle published in the Weyburn Review, February 16, 1967 (transcribed with the assistance of CoPilot)
When I was asked to put my report on Older Boys’ Parliament in the Review, I was glad for the opportunity because I have been charged with the duty of explaining the purposes and developing interest in Older Boys’ Parliament.
The Parliament was held in Regina between Dec. 27 and 30. It was attended by about 80 boys from all over the province between the ages of 16 and 21. The purposes of the parliament are as follows, and I quote from the “Proclamation”:
- To challenge young men to Christian commitment and service.
- To promote Christ-centered boys’ work in the Churches and to enable young men to share in its oversight.
- To encourage effective Christian leadership in local churches and communities.
- To foster intelligent thought and action in matters of personal belief and conduct, public affairs, and social relationships.
- To train members in parliamentary procedure and good citizenship.
Our schedule was varied and interesting. Most of us checked into the Westward Motor Inn Monday night and got settled into the rooms which we were to occupy for the next four days. On Tuesday, the activities got into full swing.
The prime activity, of course, was the sittings of the house. The house sat in the Legislative Assembly at the legislative buildings. The thrill of walking on carpeted floors and sitting on padded swivel chairs behind large desks is really an experience in itself.
We literally took over the assembly and the caucus chambers for the next four days. We had all the necessities and conveniences of an actual parliament. We even had two young pages who would do anything, from bringing us a glass of water to carrying notes to the Hi-C girls in the balcony—although the latter was discouraged.
The speeches and debates proved quite interesting. Some of the debates became quite heated, and at one point, charges of scandal and theft were thrown back and forth across the house. All the resolutions were very well prepared, and they showed great depth of thought on the subject by the members. Two bills were passed that we boys, ourselves, were able to carry out directly—one dealt with the adoption of a foster child, and the other led to the presentation of two appropriately engraved plaques to be placed on the Quebec Conference Table. The Fathers of Confederation sat around this table in 1864, and it now sits in the Legislative Library in Regina.
Resolutions included one that gave our support to the establishment of diplomatic relations with Red China. Another resolution passed was one regarding Economic Nationalism for Canada.
One resolution which I personally helped with was one in favor of the abolition of capital punishment in Canada. This resolution sparked a heated debate and brought out points that I had never considered before. In the end, it was passed with a narrow majority.
The session was opened Tuesday night and prorogued Friday night by the Lieutenant Governor of Boys’ Parliament, Paul Dojack. Both ceremonies were very impressive. On Tuesday night, the Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by a Mounted Police honor guard as well as his aide, so it was a colorful ceremony.
Our Speaker of the House was Bill Logan from Regina. This was his 8th year at Parliament, and in these eight years, he has held cabinet posts, been premier, and has twice been speaker.
This accomplishment is even more outstanding when you take into account that he has an acute speech impediment. He is a wonderful example of a person who has achieved great success despite a physical handicap.
The house was shaken during the budget debate when the finance minister charged the Deputy Leader of the Opposition with the theft of a copy of the public accounts. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition denied that the circumstances under which he gained a copy of the public accounts were theft and created a diversion by accusing the Deputy Premier of robbing the cradle. This quickly turned into a full-scale scandal debate which lasted for about an hour.
The session of parliament was not the only activity we had during the week. Each morning we could attend lectures by the Rev. S. O. McEntyre, a minister from Moose Jaw. The first morning he spoke on ‘Christianity as a liberating force.’ I was able to derive three basic points from this lecture:
Science is a child of Christianity, and the relationship between science and Christianity is still clear.
Christianity is not to be thought of as just another religion, like Buddhism and Confucianism, but that it is the power of God abroad in the world.
A person ‘in Christ’ is:
Free from the guilt of past sins.
Free from superstitious ties.
Free from the power of evil.
The second morning Rev. McEntyre lectured on ‘Political Freedom.’ The main point I got out of this lecture was that politics cannot be made into a religion. We know that nobody rules ‘by the Grace of God’ and that governing bodies must rule with allowances for human failings. Rev. McEntyre said, ‘Should any political system claim for itself absolute truth, then we must declare that system not only historically naive but also a false religion.’
Rev. McEntyre’s last lecture the third morning on ‘Moral Freedom’ sparked a complex and interesting discussion on sex and free love.
I should note that when we did not agree with Rev. McEntyre, which was quite often, he allowed himself to be put on the ‘hot seat,’ and the discussions that followed were often more rewarding than the lectures themselves.
On Thursday we had a leadership training workshop conducted by Rev. Bud Harper from PCTC. With the help of some of the boys his workshop consisted of role playing in which a leader was conducting a committee meeting. As chairman of this committee he assumed the role of four different leaders with different traits. Then he asked the members to choose the best one. The effect was impressive and I’m sure many of us saw our own leadership weaknesses in the leaders he portrayed.
Other activities throughout the week included two banquets, one sponsored by the City of Regina and the other by the T. Eaton Company; we also had a dance and social on Thursday night in Westminster Church put on by the Westminster Hi-C.
I really enjoyed myself at the parliament, but my only regret is that there must have been so many boys who missed out on the experience just because of lack of interest. The parliament was not full this year, as about 20 more could have been accommodated.
An interesting fact is that this parliament is promoted by six churches and the YMCA. The six churches being the Anglican, Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, and United Church. There were two Roman Catholics by special invitation.
I felt that I was given an excellent insight into the actual operation of a government. There is a lot of work to be done in and out of session whether you are Premier or an Opposition backbencher.
The experience really widened my views on national and international problems. I was able to examine them with others of my generation, and we dug out facts and possible solutions that I have never heard expressed before by our elder counterparts in Ottawa.
I should like to note that our budget, which amounts to approximately $1,000 a year, is financed mainly by the members themselves, and the members are financed by local church organizations. I owe my thanks to the Colgate UCW for sending me and helping to support the Parliament’s year-round functions.
In closing, I would like to say that Older Boys’ Parliament is very worthwhile. I would like to see it expanded to include a larger field.
One final word to boys reading this: If you ever have a chance to attend Boys’ Parliament, take it. It is an experience you will never forget.
