Government of Alberta


Minister for the Day

Monday June 5, 2006

Once again, through thoughtful and creative responses to Alberta Environment’s question “What would you do if you were the Minister of Environment?”, ten grade five students from across the province earned the opportunity to spend the day finding out what it is like to be Alberta’s Minister of Environment.

The students met with Environment Minister Guy Boutilier on June 5 to discuss the environmental issues they're most concerned about and how they could be tackled. Students then held a news conference at the Alberta Legislature to present their plan for what Albertans can do to protect their air, land and water. Following the conference, the students spent some time testing water from the North Saskatchewan River as part of Alberta Water Quality Awareness (AWQA) Day and attended a presentation on endangered species and wetlands.





Minister for a day


Minister for the Day
Chris Ross, 10


St. James Elementary/Junior High School, Calgary

"A number of people are harming our environment by not recycling because there are not enough recycling programs."

Deputy Minister for the Day
Isabella Pedersen, 10


Lawrence Grassi Middle School, Canmore

"Having the government protect wetlands really helps, but having individuals protect wetlands helps every bit, too."

Chris Ross
Click here to see my winning entry!

Isabella Pedersen
Click here to see my winning entry!


Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Jonathan Yule, 10


Jennie Elliot School, Calgary

"Reducing the amount of pollution we make, buying electric cars and reducing our use of electricity we can help reduce pollution."

Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Duncan Alexander, 9


St. James Elementary/Junior High School, Calgary

"I think people are too unaware of environmental issues affecting the world today. I also think that by making one good choice you can help the whole province."

Jonathan Yule
Click here to see my winning entry!

Duncan Alexander
Click here to see my winning entry!


Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Kenzie MacDonald, 10


Westhaven School, Edson

"If I were to be minister I would go all around town telling people why taking care of the environment is good and I would try to recycle every plastic, metal and rubber object I see on the ground."

Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Jennifer Busser, 11


Louis Riel Elementary/Junior High School

"People cannot survive without other species because everything is connected ... if one dies many others will die as well."

Kenzie MacDonald
Click here to see my winning entry!

Jennifer Busser
Click here to see my winning entry!


Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Ellen Buckie, 11


Malmo School, Edmonton

"Greenhouse gases are harming the environment. Greenhouse gases are a reason for global warming."

Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Levi Hatch, 11


Sunset House School, Sunset House

"Oil spills can kill plants and animals and pollute land and water. Oil spills are also expensive and hard to clean up."

Ellen Buckie
Click here to see my winning entry!

Levi Hatch
Click here to see my winning entry!


Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Jayden Allum, 10


Ralph McCall School, Airdrie

"Our wetlands are very important, they filter our water so we can drink without getting sick."

Assistant Deputy Minister for the Day
Taylor McIntyre, 10


Louis Riel Elementary/Junior High School

“Wetland education is the only way for government to protect Alberta’s wetlands. By teaching young kids my age to be teachers and protectors of the wetlands we then can help teach our parents and grandparents.”

Jayden Allum
Click here to see my winning entry!

Taylor McIntyre
Click here to see my winning entry!



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