MP Eric Melillo joins Grade 5 students virtually. Photo Submitted by Teacher Mrs. Trist and Ms. Pacheco.
If you could ask our Kenora MP anything, what would you ask?
That’s the opportunity Grade 5 students at Open Roads School in Dryden had this week as they learn about the House of Commons in Social Studies.
Eric Melillo joined Mrs. Trist’s class virtually from Ottawa to answer student’s burning questions and one student asked why Melillo ran for office.
“I wanted to help out Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, and all of the communities in our region and I felt that being a parliamentarian was a great way to help do that because I now have a voice and the ability to try and influence the government and Prime Minister and make sure they don’t forget about us in our area,” explained Melillo.
While politics may not be exciting to everyone, Melillo stressed the importance of informed voting to the young students.
“I hope that every single person in this class, when you can, I hope you do take the chance to vote because that’s the best way to make your opinions heard and get involved. But, if you’re interested in getting involved further, there’s volunteering, helping out with campaigns or maybe you’ll run yourself someday.”
Melillo continues, “I encourage everyone to follow the news, to pay attention to the different parties and try to form as many opinions around it as you can because it’s very important for our country and for our democracy that we have people that are actively involved in politics, from all of the different parties.”
Melillo adds it’s an honour to continue serving the Kenora riding.
