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Red Deer high school grad heading to Parliament Hill

Red Deer’s Abbie Good is ready for an opportunity of a lifetime.
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Lindsay Thurber grad Abbie Good is one of 40 students from across Canada selected to the page program in Ottawa. She’ll get to work part time in the House of Commons while pursuing a degree in international development and globalization. (Contributed photo)

Red Deer’s Abbie Good is ready for an opportunity of a lifetime.

The teen, who graduated from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in June, is off to Ottawa later this summer to participate in the federal government’s page program.

Good was one of 40 students from across Canada selected for the program, which lets students work part time in the House of Commons.

She’s set to attend the University of Ottawa in the fall, where she will work toward a bachelor of social sciences degree in international development and globalization.

Good said it was her career counsellor who encouraged her to apply for the page program.

“It’s a really great opportunity for first-year university students, where you get to work at Parliament and the House of Commons,” Good said.

“I’ve always been interested in politics and economics.”

Good had to complete a handwritten application and take a second language competency test, proving her ability to speak French.

She said her duties as a part-time page will include working with members of Parliament, experiencing debates in the chamber and meeting with student groups, as well as participating in the Speaker’s parade.

“I really think it will be an eye-opening experience and an inside look into the Canadian parliamentary system,” said Good.

“I’m really excited to see, up close and personal, how our government runs and how they make decisions on a daily basis. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity for learning, and I can’t wait.”

While the page program will go ahead as usual, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Good’s first semester of university will be online. She’s looking forward to getting started on her degree.

“This program is really specific to different countries and how they interact with each other politically, economically and socially. That is what really drew me to the program,” she said.

“After I finish this degree, I would really like to go to law school and specialize in international law, which would include helping out in humanitarian crises and working with the UN.”



Byron Hackett

About the Author: Byron Hackett

Byron has been the sports reporter at the advocate since December of 2016. He likes to spend his time in cold hockey arenas accompanied by luke warm, watered down coffee.
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