Pizza and politics were on the menu June 17, as Democracy 250 co-chairs Dr. John Hamm and Russell MacLellan hosted Grade 7 students from Chester Area Middle School at Province House for lunch and a discussion on democracy.

Alfie MacLeod, Speaker of the House of Assembly and the Honourable Judy Streatch, MLA for Chester-St. Margaret’s, addressed the students as well.

Jason Saoud, Senior Account Manager, Small Business & Personal,  RBC Clayton Park Branch presented a cheque to Democracy 250.

“Pizza and Politics spreads the message about the benefits of being actively engaged citizens and the importance of voting to junior high students across the province. RBC is very proud to lend their support to this event”, said Jason Saoud.

"Less than 25 per cent of young adults under 25 are turning out to vote at any given time. It is a disturbing statistic that we want to bring attention to and hopefully reverse," said Dr. Hamm.

"The most important legacy the Democracy 250 initiative can leave is to positively influence youth participation in the democratic process and to begin to reverse the steady decline in voter turnout”, said Mr. MacLellan

Since it was established in the spring of 2007, Democracy 250 has held a number of youth-engagement sessions with junior high, high school and university students throughout the province. For more information, visit www.democracy250.ca or the youth website at www.D250.ca