​​The first Waterdown District High School Student Parliament was opened by the Honourable David C. Onley, 28th 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 introduced for the 2017-2018 school year.

​

Picture
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.

An election has been called the 2025-2026 Student Parliament for Friday, May 30th, 2025​.

Aspire Party

Dreamers Party

Future Party

Voice Party

Does your club/team want to run an event at WDHS?

Funding from Student Parliament

School Clubs, as well as School Departments, can apply to Student Parliament for funding generated from events run by this body. For any interested groups, please see the forms below to submit an application.
Funding Application Information (2025)
File Size: 165 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
WDHS Funding Application Form
File Size: 100 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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
Personal Message from the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
File Size: 232 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Learn more:

WDHS Electoral System Explained
File Size: 211 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2016 Student House
File Size: 247 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Previous Student Parliaments:

2023-2024 School Year

Monarch: Mr. Clark

​Vision Party: 13 seats
Catalyst Party: 4 seats
​Vision Party: 3 seats

​Majority Government (True, Peak and Catalyst Parties) with Stella Duncan as Prime Minister

Brianne Meyer elected by Parliament as Speaker
2022-2023 School Year

Monarch: Mr. Clark

​Wave Party: 8 seats
True Party: 8 seats
​Peak Party: 2 seats
Catalyst Party: 1 seat
Humble Party: 1 seat

​Coalition Government (True, Peak and Catalyst Parties) with Grace Ghotra as Prime Minister

Maleah Rivait elected by Parliament as Speaker
September 2021

Monarch: Ms. Sgambato

​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 remained 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 elected 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

​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)