Civics @ WDHS
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WDHS Student Parliament 

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​​The Waterdown District High School Student Parliament was first opened by the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on February 13th, 2007. The Student Parliament operated under its first Constitution from 2007-2016. A second Constitution, introducing political parties and proportional representation, was proclaimed for the 2017-2018 school year.

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The Hon. David C. Onley, 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, presides over the opening of the first WDHS Student Parliament on February 13th, 2007. Part of the ceremony included the presentation of the WDHS Mace to Principal Helen MacGregor.

Waterdown District High School held an election for the 2022-2023 Student Parliament on May 31st, 2022. 

Election Results:
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​On June 3rd a coalition government was formed by the True, Peak and Catalyst Parties with Grace Ghotra as Prime Minister and Cana Bishop as Deputy Prime Minister.
2022 Writ of Election
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Ms. Sgambato signs the Writ of Election for the 2022-2023 Student Parliament.

Catalyst Party:

Certified 2022 Party List

Humble Party:​

Certified 2022 Party List

Peak Party

Certified 2022 Party List

True Party

Certified 2022 Party List

Wave Party:

Certified 2022 Party List

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The WDHS Student Parliament and its 2017 Constitution

Waterdown's Student Parliament was established in 2008 when the Honourable David C. Onley, 28th lieutenant governor of Ontario, opened its first session on February 13th, 2008. During that historic opening, the lieutenant governor also presented the WDHS mace to the school.

On January 18th, 2017, Waterdown District High School held a school-wide referendum to replace the 2008 Constitution that originally established the school's Student Parliament.

Referendum Results:

Total Votes: 326
Voted Yes: 268 (82.2%) ADOPTED
Voted No: 54 (16.5%)
Spoiled Ballots: 4 (1.2%)


The 2017 Constitution made the following changes:

  • Students are able to form their own political parties that will offer candidates during student elections (held in May)
  • A Student House was created with 20 seats filled by elected representatives (2 other seats will have Grade Nines appointed to them).
  • The party that commands the confidence of the Student House will form the Student Government of WDHS. The leader of that party becomes prime minister. Coalitions are permitted.

​The first election under this new system was held on May 31st, 2017, and the votes were counted under the supervision of former WDHS prime minister Mike Arnason.

Members of the Electoral Reform Committee: Selah Bishop, Adam McKenzie, Cameron Ramolla and Alison Smoke.

​Following a controversial vote of non-confidence and dissolution of Student Parliament in 2021, the constitution was amended by the Principal’s Council (Passed by a 13-3 vote on May 11th, 2022) to clarify the process of removing Members of Student Parliament. Fresh elections were held under this amended constitution on May 31st, 2022
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Personal Message from the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
File Size: 232 kb
File Type: pdf
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Learn more:

Student Parliament Constitution (Amended 2022)
File Size: 1226 kb
File Type: pdf
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WDHS Electoral System Explained
File Size: 211 kb
File Type: pdf
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2016 Student House
File Size: 247 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Previous Student Parliaments:

September 2021

Monarch: Ms. Sgambato

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Wave Party: 8 seats
Peak Party: 7 seats
True Party: 3 seats
Ignite Party: 2 seats

​Coalition Government (Wave Party & True Party) with Atticus Brown as Prime Minister (True Party's Grace Ghotra​ as Deputy Prime Minister)

Marissa Iozzo elected by Parliament as Speaker

2020-2021 School Year (commencing October 28th, 2020)

Monarch: Ms. Sgambato


Wave Party: 7 seats
Peak Party: 6 seats
GOAT Party: 3 seats
Voice Party: 2 seats
Bright Party: 1 seat
Ignite Party: 1 seat

​Coalition Government (Wave Party & Peak Party) with Hayley Galsworthy as Prime Minister (Peak Party's Emma Brown as Deputy Prime Minister)

Ben Flosman elected by Parliament as Speaker

2020 Covid Caretaker Parliament (September 24th, 2020 - October 23rd, 2020)

Monarch: Ms. Sgambato


​Ignite Parliamentary Party: 4 seats
Spirit Party: 3 seats
Voice Party: 9 seats
WDHS Wave Party: 4 seats

Coalition Government (Voice Party & Spirit Party) with Hayley Galsworthy as Prime Minister 

Ben Flosman remained as Speaker

2019-2020 School Year (ending September 24th, 2020, due to COVID-19 Pandemic)

Monarch: Ms. Sgambato


Ignite Parliamentary Party: 4 seats
Spirit Party: 3 seats
Voice Party: 9 seats
WDHS Wave Party: 4 seats

Coalition Government (Voice Party & Spirit Party) with Duke Gand as Prime Minister

Ben Flosman selected by Parliament as Speaker

2018-2019 School Year

Monarch: Ms. Beilak

Fast Party: 1 seat
Goat Party: 2 seats
Ignite Party: 11 seats
People's Party: 1 seat
Voice Party: 5 seats

Majority Government (Ignite Party) with Sarah Brophy as Prime Minister

Owen Nicholson elected by Parliament as Speaker​

2017-2018 School Year

Monarch: Ms. Beilak


Comrade's Communist Commune Party: 1 seat
Frat Party: 1 seat
Gaskell Party: 5 seats
Ignite Party: 4 seats
KOA Party: 4 seats
Opossum Party: 1 seat
United Waterdown Party: 2 seats
Waterdown Student Alliance Vote Party: 2 seats

Coalition Government (KOA, Ignite, United Waterdown & Frat Parties) with Alison Smoke as Prime Minister

​Selah Bishop elected by Parliament as Speaker

Parliaments predating the 2016 Constitution:

Prime Ministers

​Ms. Patricia Riddell (2007-2008)
Ms. Amanda Geiger & Ms. Amanda Weldon (2008-2009)
Ms. Mariah Hamilton (2009-2010)
Ms. Jamie Kosonic (2010-2011)
Mr. Adam MacDonald (2011-2012)
Mr. Grant Brierley (2012-2013)
Ms. Nikki Kumar (2013-2014)
Mr. Michael Arnason (2014-2015)
Ms. Devyn Kelly (2015-2016)
Ms. Erica Winks & Mr. Emmit Brown (2016-2017)
Speaker of Parliament

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Mr. Terry Soleas (2007-2008)
Mr. Spencer Porter (2008-2009)
Mr. Nick Bridges (2009)
Ms. Kaitlin Juraschka (2009-2010)
Ms. Hannah Faas (2011-2012)
Ms. Shauna Deathe (2013-2014)
Ms. Eryn Green (2014-2015)
Usher of the Black Rod

Mr. Scott Jackson (2008-2009)
Mr. Mark Onufer (2009-June 2010)
Mr. Tyler Adamson (June 2010)
Mr. Haydan Tateryn (2011)
Mr. Reilly McCleary (2013-2014)
Ms. Sino Mombassa (2015-2016)
Sergeant-at-Arms

Mr. GriffinElliot (2008-2009)
Mr. Esai Bishop (2009-2010)
Mr. Nick Kosonic (2010-2011)
​Mr. Emmit Brown (2013-2014)
  • Home
  • WDHS Student Parliament
  • Unit One
  • Unit Two
  • Unit Three
  • Unit Four
  • Culminating Assignment
  • Symbols of Canada