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MICHELLE NASH michelle.nash@metroland.com
An eight-year-old girl from Toronto has put down her bicycle and picked up a trench coat and business suit because she is worried about her future. Grade 4 student Penelope Plessas has launched a campaign where she will tour across Ontario and ask Ontarians and candidates in all the ridings to take one thing into consideration on Oct. 6 – her and all children’s future. Penelope was in Ottawa on Sept. 14 and 15. “We simply cannot leave worrying about the future to politicians,” said Penelope. “My campaign will make sure the environment is on the top of the agenda this provincial election. Us kids have our future to think about.” Environmental Defence, an environmental action organization, launched the non-partisan Penelope 4 Ontario campaign on Sept.1. The main focus of the campaign is to make voters aware that the environment should be a top priority when it comes to who is representing Ontario. Shiloh Bouvette, the program manager for the
Photo by Michelle Nash
Eight-year-old Penelope Plessas has launched a campaign to promote the environment during this year’s provincial election. While on tour, Penelope stopped in Ottawa to hand out cookies. campaign, said this tour with Penelope is meant to get people to sit up and take notice of the issues. “It is all about increasing awareness for the environment,” Bouvette said.
Armed with a pant suit, Penelope and her team are travelling across the province asking the leaders of all the parties if they will commit to protecting the environment. They have made stops in Barrie and To-
ronto so far. The youngster has an extensive platform she would like voters and candidates to take to heart. Clean water from the tap, renewable energy, taking care of the Greenbelt and reducing
the use of coal as an electricity source are just some of her top issues. On the road with the eight year-old is her mother, Monique Plessas. “I couldn’t be more proud of her. She is inspiring,” Plessas said. While visiting Ottawa, Penelope handed out cookies with her initial on them from Le Moulin De Provence bakery in the Byward Market, asking everyone if they will take the environment into consideration when they vote. The tri-lingual girl switched from French to English to speak to her constituents. She has Spanish on the ready just in case. The main message of the campaign is to take notice and ask tough questions about the environment and, when it comes to time to choose a candidate, to vote for those who will ensure a future for Penelope and her friends. “You can’t really vote for a kid, but you can vote for her future.” Penelope said. The tour continues with campaign stops in Hamilton, Guelph, Kitchener and Waterloo.
CORRECTION NOTICE The City of Ottawa’s Culture Plan Renewal is happening NOW Mark these dates on your calendar Plan to attend one of the Culture Plan Renewal Open Houses and find out what is being proposed for Ottawa’s next 5-Year Action Plan for Arts and Heritage. Monday, September 26
La Nouvelle Scène 333 King Edward Avenue 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Thursday, September 29
Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre 102 Greenview Avenue 6:30 to 9 p.m. Britannia Park
Monday, October 3
Jean Pigott Hall, Ottawa City Hall 110 Laurier Avenue West 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5
Richcraft Theatre, Shenkman Arts Centre 245 Centrum Boulevard 6:30 to 9 p.m.
*All open houses will be conducted in both official languages
Please note that the advertisements for:
Mobilicity and Madeleine Meilleur, MPP Ottawa-Vanier, appeared in the centre spread of the Vanier BIA Outdoor Farmers Market feature of the September 15th 2011 edition were incorrect. These ads erroneously ran at no fault of the advertisers and should not have appeared as they were remnants from a previous edition. We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused our valued customers and readers.
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September 22, 2011 - OTTAWA THIS WEEK - EAST
Eight-year-old campaigns to keep candidates in check