Transport Minister to attend, youth to call for recognition of a National Teen Driver Safety Week

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2013 – A Youth Symposium at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on Oct. 22 will focus attention on youth and road safety as part of Parachute’s Project Gearshift. Seven Youth Ambassadors from across Canada will share with Ottawa-area students their expertise and experience working on road safety issues in their communities. Parachute is delighted to host Transport Minister Lisa Raitt for part of the day as an honoured guest and to have her address the students.

While teen drivers make up just 13% of the driver population, they account for about a quarter of the driver fatalities and injuries each year. Parachute’s Project Gearshift aims to reduce that toll and to have Canadians recognize an annual National Teen Driver Safety Week in Canada for the third week in October. Symposium participants will share information and work together to develop tools to effect road safety changes in their own communities.

Who:

  • Hon. Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport
  • Parachute staff, including President & CEO, Louise Logan and Project Gearshift lead, Alex Kelly
  • Students, including seven Youth Ambassadors from Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick

Where:

Salon Room, National Arts Centre, 53 Elgin St., Ottawa

When:

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Schedule details for media

The Minister will speak from 12:25 – 12:35.

Youth will meet with Minister Raitt and take photos at 12:35 – 12:40.

Students available to speak with media after that time.

More information

See www.projectgearshift.ca and www.parachutecanada.org

For media assistance, contact

Kathy Blair, Parachute, 647-776-5125, kblair@parachutecanada.org

Karen Fricker, Parachute, 647-776-5117, kfricker@parachutecanada.org

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