Bike bank, youth advertising initiative, among this year’s plans for Whitecourt’s Youth Advisory Committee

By Serena Lapointe

Whitecourt’s Youth Advisory Committee is busy working towards its goals for 2026. Each year,
the group of ten community youth, aged 13 to 18, share their ideas during a Strategic Planning
Session before collectively deciding on what to focus on for the term, which runs from
November to September.
Last year, the group focused on creating a chalk art competition during the Canada Day
festivities at Festival Park, which ended up being very successful, as well as expanding its Here
For You Campaign, which provides free menstrual products in Town-owned facility bathrooms
including those at JDA Place, the Allan & Jean Millar Centre, the Forest Interpretive Centre and
seasonally at Festival Park.
Last year, the group also focused on raising awareness about the dangers of vaping through an
info campaign. During the Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce Trade Show, the
committee had a booth where they asked people about vaping, testing their knowledge and
raising awareness of conditions like “popcorn lung,” even providing popcorn on site to send the
message home.
Volunteerism is a big part of being a member of the Youth Advisory Committee and members
have regular opportunities to do so including Canada Day, Youth Week, Party in the Park, the
Run for Fun, the Spirit of Youth Awards, and acting as liaisons to other Town boards such as the
Library Board, Party in the Park Committee, Protective Services Committee, and the Community
Services Advisory Board.
In mid-January, the Youth Advisory Committee presented its 2026 Strategic Goals to Whitecourt
Town Council. Member Logan Glidden mc’d for his peers, with most in attendance to help.
“Essentially, our job is to represent the youth in Whitecourt,” he began, before introducing his
fellow committee members.
Joining Glidden this year are Victoria Benson, Lucas Boudreau, Beckett Holloway, John
Harasym, Dax Holloway, Andie Kennedy, Brianna Kison, Andi Olynyk, and Carter Taylor. Two

councillors sit as representatives for Town Council, and this year’s reps are Councillor Bill
McAree and Councillor Serena Lapointe. The committee receives support and encouragement
from Youth Development Coordinator Emma Harper, enabling them to organize and execute
their yearly plans.
One of this year’s goals for the committee revolves around how kids become aware of what’s
happening in Whitecourt. “The Youth-Specific Advertising Initiative is about creating a more
streamlined process for youth to get information about youth events. We are looking for options
for online and print that would be released on a scheduled basis,” explained Lucas Boudreau.
The committee also decided to include a bike bank as one of its goals. “We are going to plan a
bike swap for youth to exchange their bike or get a bike for kids who might not have access to
one.” Thanks to $2,400 from the Alberta Primary Care Grant – Soaring Project, the committee is

creating a Safe & Accessible Cycling Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to help tackle
physical and social barriers to living safe, active and healthy lives in the community, with a focus
on biking. The committee will promote safety publicly and survey their peers to identify barriers,
using that information to guide the initiative.
Brianna Kison explained how the committee plans to take it one step further once they have
gathered the information. “We will advocate to Town Council based on the results from the
survey and safety events on ways to decrease barriers to cycling in Whitecourt and increase
safety and accessibility.”
Another big goal this year is Youth Week. In the past, the group has played a supportive role,
but this year, they want to grow their role. “The Youth Advisory Committee had a huge part to
play in making our Youth Week 2025 a success. This year, we are going to organize and
facilitate the events for the week with our identified partners,” explained Beckett Holloway.
The last member to present, Carter Taylor, provided insight into the committee’s aspirations.
She said giving youth an opportunity to be heard and encouraging the involvement of youth in
positions of leadership, politics and advocacy as they become adults” are two significant
focuses of the committee.
Getting young people involved in their municipality and giving them power to make decisions

and be part of important conversations can help foster a wanting to continue being involved as
they grow up, either through volunteering, joining a committee, or perhaps even running for
office one day.
Taylor finished by stating the importance of considering the Youth Advisory Committee as a
“sounding board for ideas and initiatives that affect youth,” and encouraged the continued
involvement of youth in decisions that affect them.
Town Council members shared their appreciation of the committee, commending them for being
active in helping make community events successful and not only bringing their ideas to the
table, but also acting on their plans and making things happen. Councillor Brian Wynn said
volunteers make Whitecourt the place it is and encouraged them to share that message with
their peers. “I really hope that you guys can help drive that in our youth, because if you do it as
a youth, I think you’ll do it as an adult too. I would sure love to see that grow and grow.”
Mayor Ray Hilts said the cycling initiative is “spot on” and that he looks forward to seeing how it
progresses, thanking them for doing it. “It’s a very practical approach to creating something
different.” Then, Mayor Hilts, who is a cycling enthusiast himself, said with a smirk, “anybody
who cycles is also cool. Just as a side note,” bringing about both chuckles and agreement from
the committee.