Our Mission

To perpetuate and promote the BC Youth Parliament by bringing together representative members of youth groups within the Province of British Columbia to stimulate cooperative methods of promoting and improving youth movements for young people and educating its members in the Parliamentary process and the responsibilities of citizenship.

About the Youth Parliament of BC Alumni Society

The Youth Parliament of BC Alumni Society (known as The Senate within the organization) is the sponsoring organization of the British Columbia Youth Parliament (BCYP). The YPBCAS was formed as part of the re-organization of the BC Youth Parliament in 1974 and acts as the BCYP's "Senate." The Senate ensures a session is held annually, reviews the legislation passed by the Youth Parliament, and, when necessary, assists the Youth Parliament in its community service programs and other events.

The Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are former Members of Youth Parliament themselves. Directors, who are often referred to as Senators, provide guidance and mentorship to current BCYP Members and perform oversite and risk management functions for all of Youth Parliament's activities. 

Membership

Anyone who has been a Member of the British Columbia Youth Parliament or a Member of the Older Boys' Parliament of British Columbia is entitled to be a Member of the YPBCAS. Membership is often granted to Alumni of other Youth Parliaments who are now living in British Columbia. If you have questions about your membership, don't hesitate to get in touch with alumni.affairs@bcyp.org.

Welcome to the Awards page! Here you will find information about the awards given out by the Youth Parliament of BC Alumni Society (Senate) and the past recipients.

When adjudicating the nominations, all nominations will be considered in the same manner, and the Awards Committee may also draw on the recollections and records of Cabinet ministers and other project leaders to substantiate and supplement the information provided by the nominator. Nominations, as well as whether they were third-party or self-proposed, will not be disclosed and will only be shared with the members of Senate's Awards Committee.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the process, please email Danica Wong, Senate Awards Committee Chair.

Nominations for awards for the 93rd BCYP have closed. Please contact the committee chair if you have any questions.

This award was first presented in December 1969, in memory of Donald Fergus Paynter whose exemplary performance in BC Youth Parliament’s predecessor organization, the Older Boys’ Parliament of British Columbia, set a high standard met by few. In awarding this trophy in his memory, we present it in the spirit of the true Parliamentarian, which Don most certainly was.

Don first attended Parliament for its 31st Session in December 1961, and was sponsored by the Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church in Vancouver. In the years following, Don moved up the ranks, serving first as Minister of Alumni Affairs, and continuing to Minister of Spiritual Welfare, Deputy Speaker, Speaker, and, at the 36th Session in December 1966, Don was Premier. He returned to Victoria in December 1968 to act as Observer Leader. Don died in January 1969.

The Members of the Older Boys’ Parliament established this award in Don’s memory, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding leadership in Youth Parliament. Prior to 1991, the award was also known as the “Parliamentarian of the Year Award.” From 1992 to 1998, it was known as the “Paynter Award for Enduring Contributions to Parliament.”

The Paynter Award may, at Senate’s discretion, be given to a member of the previous Session of the Youth Parliament who, during his or her years of membership:

• has demonstrated both exceptional leadership and noteworthy dedication to all aspects of Parliament’s activities; and

• has made contributions which either are substantially in excess of that expected through the normal course of activities, or which, because of their innovative nature, are likely to have an enduring impact.

The following individuals have received the Donald Fergus Paynter Memorial Award:

This award was created in November of 1991, in the memory of Monica Fisi, who passed away in October of 1990 after a long battle with leukemia. Monica was an inspiration to all that were touched by her positive and cheerful personality. Monica always aimed high and would never let anything come between her dreams and aspirations. Her devotion to her goals, her friends and her community was an example to us all.

Monica first joined the Youth Parliament during the 58th Session, as the Member for Victoria. She rose quickly through the ranks and became Minister of the Island the following year. Quickly thereafter, Monica became the Deputy Premier of the 60th Session. Even during her illness she continued her commitment to the Youth Parliament by acting as Press Secretary at the 61st Session.

Monica represented the epitome of what this organization stands for service to one another. Monica will always be remembered for her selfless attitude and her willingness to give; therefore this award is dedicated to the memory of Monica Fisi.

The award recognizes exemplary dedication to serving the youth of British Columbia under Youth Parliament’s name.

Nominees will be recognized as having shown exceptional dedication to serving their community through their individual service projects and other volunteerism in addition to their involvement in BCYP sponsored activities.

Special consideration may be offered to Parliamentarians who have overcome personal adversity in undertaking their service activities. This award is presented each year to the person who is most deserving.

The following individuals have received the Fisi Award for Service:

THE PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Parliamentarian of the Year Award was created in October 2021 by the Board of Directors of the Youth Parliament of BC Alumni Society (BCYP's Senate). This award is presented annually and recognizes the member of the previous Session who has contributed the most in all three areas of BCYP, including attending or organizing BCYP events, individual and/or group service, and fundraising. The award is open to all Parliamentarians, with individuals holding ministerial portfolios expected to demonstrate contributions beyond their legislated duties.

The following individuals have received the Parliamentarian of the Year Award:

2021 Zara Herbert, Vancouver

The Inspiring New Member Award recognizes those members who made exceptional contributions to the service and fundraising activities of the British Columbia Youth Parliament during their first year in the organization. The award is presented annually to a second year member who made the greatest contribution to Youth Parliament projects during their inaugural year.

The award was initiated by the desire on the part of Terasen (formerly BC Gas) to sponsor an award for Youth Parliament. The Cabinet of the 68th British Columbia Youth Parliament decided to accept the generous offer by BC Gas and chose to create the Inspiring New Member Award. The British Columbia Youth Parliament owes many thanks to Kathi Thompson of BC Gas and Karin Yeung, Premier of the 68th British Columbia Youth Parliament for initiating this award.

In 2014 the Speaker’s Office of BC took over the sponsorship of the award. The Hon. Linda Reid, as Speaker of the BC Legislature and a BCYP alumna, commissioned a new trophy for the New Member Award, to replace the previous trophy which had been damaged. Linda has shown incredible support for BCYP and its session over the year, and her office’s sponsorship of this award is fitting and appreciated.

The following individuals have received the Inspiring New Member Award:

Since 1963, Members of the BC Youth Parliament have been recognized for exemplary work in raising the funds needed to carry out Parliament’s projects through the awarding of the Bond Shield. The BC Youth Parliament Bond Shield is awarded each year to the Member of the Session who has raised the most money through the sale of BC Youth Parliament bonds. The money raised through these bond sales pays for the service and educational projects that make Youth Parliament such a unique experience.

The following individuals have received the Bond Shield:

The award was inaugurated at the “100 Years Young: Celebrating 100 Years of Youth Parliament in Canada” held in Vancouver in May 2012, at the urging of Julie Jackson who was a member of the organizing committee. The award was named after Julie in 2019, to honour her memory.

Julie was a second generation Parliamentarian who first joined BCYP as a UBC student and attended the 61st and 62nd sessions. During those two years, Julie served as Minister of the Lower Mainland and Assistant Program Director for Camp Phoenix 1990.

After BCYP, Julie was an active and dedicated BCYP alumnus. She clerked at the 66th Session, and later joined Senate and served as Executive Director. Julie also served an active member of the Camp Phoenix Steering Committee, and left her stamp on camp training by delivering her conflict resolution seminar. Even after Julie was diagnosed with brain cancer she was determined to give back to the organization.

Julie was a citizen of the world, with a passion for social justice, for politics, and for travel. As an treaty negotiator, Julie dedicated her professional life to Indigenous rights and reconciliation. Julie approached everything in Youth Parliament like she did in life – with passion and enthusiasm. Julie was a force. She was the master of the theme, and appreciated Star Wars and a good party.

This award is presented to a member of the Youth Parliament of British Columbia Alumni Society for dedication to and support of the Youth Parliament movement in the province of British Columbia, and for continued service embodying the ideals of the BC Youth Parliament. The individual must have made contributions and/or benefactions to the BC Youth Parliament and/or the Alumni Society in excess of what is expected of a member of the Alumni Society. Special consideration may be offered for a person who has made an enduring impact in the community at large, consistent with promoting the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of British Columbians.

The Award for Outstanding Leadership winners have been: