Mayor's Task Force Set To Release Youth Survey

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

The Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth in Prince George says he’s a little frustrated by the time it’s taken to get to this point, but he’s happy it’s finally arrived...

Ryan Yorston says the task force will be releasing a survey targetted at city youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years within the next couple of days.  Yorston was appointed to chair the committee by Mayor Colin Kinsley after narrowly missing a seat on council back in November of 2005. 

Since then, Yorston and approximately 10 others on the committee have been working with Dr. Alex Michalos at UNBC’s Institute for Social Research and Evaluation to come up with a questionnaire for youth, much like the Quality of Life survey that’s already conducted for the general population.  He says the committee's goal is to take some initial steps in solving the long-standing complaint, "There's nothing to do in this town".

The survey will query the city’s young people on everything from crime and personal safety, to health, social activities and support, to fair treatment and human rights.

Yorston says all principals within School District 57 have been contacted and the surveys will be available in schools’ offices.  In addition, a hard copy will be available at City Hall and a version will soon be available to be downloaded from the City’s website.  Also, the questionnaire may be completed online from the Institute’s website.

The push will be on to have as many youth complete the survey by June 15th, but Yorston acknowledges it’s getting late in the school year and the project may have to be re-launched in September if response is lacklustre.

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