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Student Parliament 

​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.

Notice - September 9th, 2020

Due to the school closure last year elections were not held for the 2020-2021 Student Parliament. This means that the 2019-2020 Parliament still sits, and the government formed from it still exists.

Since some members, including the prime minister, have graduated, the ruling coalition (Voice Party and Spirit Party) needs to identify a new leader to Mr. Tidridge to forward to the principal. This leader will automatically become prime minister.

Once a prime minister is confirmed, a Student Parliament Meeting will be convened (virtually) with its first order of business being the election of a 2020-2021 Student Parliament.

A Government has been formed!

On June 3rd, 2019, Principal Sgambato invited a Coalition Government to form with Duke Gand as the Prime Minister. The Government is comprised of the Voice Party (9 Seats) and Spirit Party (3 seats). The WDHS Wave Party and Ignite Party are the Official Opposition.

Official Results of the 2019 Election:

Total Votes: 488 (Ignite Parliamentary Party 106, Spirit Party 79, Voice Party 204, WDHS Wave Party 95, Spoiled Ballots 4)

The results of the 2019 Election are as follows:

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

2019 Political Parties :

Ignite Parliamentary Party:​

*Due to their name appearing on another party list #20 has been struck from this Party List

Spirit:​

Voice:

*Due to their name appearing on another party list #18 has been struck from this Party List

WDHS Wave Party:

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.
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 2017 Constitution
File Size: 1076 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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:

2018-2019 School Year

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

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)