Thursday, September 14, 2006
Letter from NDP Youth Critic Nathan Cullen
I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce myself as your Federal New Democratic critic for Youth and to talk about some of the dreams I have about how we can make Young New Democrats a more central part of our work.
It’s only been a couple of years now since I decided to take a chance and go after the nomination in the Pacific Northwest. I found myself riding a wave of energy and people power. We ran a campaign that brought politics into the homes and coffee shops of people who were feeling more and more excluded from what was happening in Ottawa. Young people were a huge part of what brought me into politics and remain a key reason that keeps me here.
This past spring I was intrigued by our down-to-the-wire negotiations with the Liberals. Jack Layton and our Caucus’ commitment to youth and education became even more obvious when a major component of the first ever NDP budget bill included $1.5 billion for post-secondary education and training. It also included considerable new funding for the environment, affordable housing and foreign aid while ensuring a balanced budget. These were issues that resonated with me personally and with many young people whom I’ve spoken with over the summer.
At a university event I attended with Jack Layton here in Ottawa I was reminded again of the power of the young voice in politics today. As I listen to the tone of many parliamentarians and lobbyists stuck in a traditional mindset the progressive ideas that young folks have towards poverty, education the environment show real vision. When young people have acted collectively and spoken up on issues like trade and war (APEC, Quebec City, Seattle) their power has resulted in real change.
A federal election is imminent within the next few months and I call on young Canadians from across the political spectrum to involve themselves in the national conversation and to bring their incredible power to the process.
Nathan Cullen, NDP critic for youth
