A student from Steinbach Regional Secondary School flew to Ottawa Saturday to take part in an eight-day event called 'Canada 150 and Me' put on by Experiences Canada. Spencer Teetaert has just completed Grade 11. He was among a group of SRSS students who attended an 'Experiences Canada' regional forum in Winnipeg where there was an option to apply for the trip to Ottawa by writing an essay on the topic of the most pressing issue facing the country. Teetaert says he did not expect to be selected but is thrilled that he was. He explains what the Ottawa trip is all about.

Spencer Teetaert"Canada 150 and Me is an opportunity put on by Experiences Canada. It's designed to draw youth from across the country to gather their opinions and to see what we, as a generation, want to see Canada look like, where we want to see the country heading and to be able to present our ideas to people who have the power to make the change."

Teetaert says the agenda has all 150 participants from across the country spending the first few days at a youth forum where they'll break up into groups and each take an issue that came up at the regional forums. They will develop projects on the issues and then present them later in the week to the Governor General and other leaders, to propose what they would like to see changed. Teetaert notes, while there is a lot of work to do, there will also be some fun to be had in Ottawa.

"We're special guests at the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards so that will have some big names, celebrity red carpet people. We're also being hosted at an MP-reception on Parliament Hill. My hope is to meet the Prime Minister."

Teetaert says this week is a wonderful opportunity for him to help make a difference in the future of Canada.