Students get a peek into municipal world at Local Government Week

BRAMPTON, ON: Why did you choose to run? How old do you have to be to run for office? What is the retirement age for Council? These were some of the questions answered for Grade 5 students of McHugh Public School (Ward 3) during their visit to Brampton City Hall yesterday.
Approximately 60 students visited City Hall in recognition of Local Government Week (October 16-22), a provincial initiative that aims to increase youth and public awareness about the important role local government plays in our communities.
The students were excited to tour City Hall, visit Council Chambers and learn about the roles of local, regional and provincial government. They also met and asked questions of Mayor Linda Jeffrey, Councillor Jeff Bowman, Councillor Doug Whillans and Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon.
“I loved the energy and enthusiasm of our students who were keen on learning more about their local government and learning firsthand the important role it plays in the everyday life of their parents, teachers and the community they live in,” said Mayor Linda Jeffrey. “I am proud to see these young students taking their first steps in community engagement.”
There are many ways to stay connected with what’s happening at the City:
 Find city events, facilities and services: Videos, maps and news-you-can-use at www.brampton.ca
 Watch for weekly newspaper ads: Every Thursday in The Brampton Guardian
 City Matters in your inbox: Sign up online for an e-newsletter
 Report a problem to the City: Download the PingStreet app on your smartphone to get information about road closures, parking permits, and to report to the City about any problems they notice in their community
 Follow the City: on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube
 Get involved in local government: Attend a Council meeting, take a survey, join a town hall
 See how elected representatives voted on matters: A list of recorded votes is available online
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About Brampton: The ninth-largest city in Canada, Brampton celebrates a diverse population that represents people from 209 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak 89 different languages. Brampton residents and visitors have access to state-of-the-art recreation facilities and one of the fastest-growing transit systems in Canada. Opened in 2007, Brampton Civic Hospital is part of the William Osler Health System, which is one of the largest community hospitals in Canada. For more information, visit www.brampton.ca or follow @CityBrampton on Twitter.
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