October 13, 2026
The City of Weyburn’s Youth Voice: Community Starts Here column highlights the perspectives, experiences and ideas of Weyburn Youth Council members.
In this first edition, returning youth councillors share what initially inspired them to join the program, why they chose to return and what being part of Youth Council means to them. This week’s column is written by Bailey Roy (Gr. 12) and Haroun Joe Mathew (Gr. 12).
I am Bailey Roy, third year member of Weyburn Youth Council. I continue to remain a member of this group because of the opportunities to impact Weyburn with my own ideas, like this very column.
This free, yet prestigious program has opened gateways to political involvement and social networking in my local environment as a youth. The exposure that it provides is unlike any other group I can join in Weyburn, because through the close bonds of adult figures, my voice as a youth is being heard firsthand.
I get the pleasure of working with diverse yet like-minded peers, and through the process we are creating a legacy to improve Weyburn, while also discovering ourselves.
The organization of meetings mock legitimate council meetings, and through this methodic repetition, our conversations and contributions flow efficiently and adeptly.
In Youth Council, you are working among the best, individually selected, youth minds of Weyburn, and are evolving to become the next generation of political minds.
As someone who intends to be politically involved in the future, this group is allowing smooth transitioning to the adult world and providing networking that is leading me to success. I’m quick to say, “Yes Mrs. Tenbult, I will be joining again next year,” because each term I’m meeting new faces, gaining new experiences, developing new skills, and reaching new limits with the capabilities Youth Council provides, which Youth Voices now displays.
I am Haroun Joe Mathew, a Grade 12 student, and this year will be my second year as a member of the Weyburn Youth Council. I joined Youth Council last year to enhance my knowledge of how our government works and to have the power to make change and strengthen the youth voice in our community.
Being a part of this group opened my eyes to a whole new world of our society: how decisions get made and how an individual can be a part of the growth of our community. I got the opportunity to
meet many politicians and hear their stories of why they stepped into politics and what they did to help our community. Their stories and ambition fascinated me, leading me to pursue my curiosity about how the government works and how I can build on my leadership and speaking skills.
My most memorable experiences from last year include visiting the legislative building in Regina, where we were introduced and sat through a meeting, observing where everyone sat and how everything worked. I also enjoyed meeting various politicians and hearing their backstories and what they do in their daily lives.