Supplied by Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes…
Ottawa – Mackenzie Hulme is a fantastic role model for young Canadians and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, MP Carol Hughes took the opportunity to honour her in Parliament to say as much.
Hughes highlighted the fact that Mackenzie was short-listed for the Samara Everyday Political Citizen Award and has achieved quite a bit because of her political engagement.
“Mackenzie is proof that age doesn’t matter and this 16 year old Central Algoma Secondary School student has earned every one of her accolades with a string of impressive accomplishments,” said Hughes.
That list includes time spent at Queen’s Park in the Ontario Legislative Page Program while still in the 7th grade; participating in the inaugural year for Ontario’s model parliament; and sitting as one of two student Trustees in the Algoma District School Board.
“On top of all this she still finds the time to volunteer both in her community and at political events,” said Hughes. “As her nominator and friend Matthew Mansour says, “this young lady, of just 16 years old, is magnificent” an assessment that I concur with wholeheartedly.”
Mackenzie herself says she is extremely honored to have been nominated and that making the short list is mind blowing.
“Coming from a small town where opportunities aren’t always there for kids like me and making it this far is amazing,” said Hulme. “When I think about politics I automatically think how lucky I am to have the right to be involved and be able to vote. When I think of this award I think of the women who fought for women of this generation to have the rights.”
Mackenzie says she takes her inspiration from the “Alberta 5” and hopes one day to have contributed enough to be an inspiration for a little girl or boy.  She feels this award is a step that might get her there.