Youth Advisory Council

Amélie Mercier is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Ottawa, majoring in Theatre with a minor in Biology. She is active in the Faculty of Arts as well as the Theatre department and its student association (THESPIS). Last year, Amélie worked in the House of Commons as a page, and last summer, at a STEM-focused day camp. Her favourite pastimes are reading books by Canadian authors and watching films and television series featuring Canadian actors.

Charlie (Sarah) Ham is completing the fifth year of an English and History Honours degree at Carleton University, with a minor in Greek and Roman Studies. As part of their lengthy sojourn at Carleton, Charlie has worked in research, teaching, content creation and information technologies—both in co-op placements and part-time positions. A returning member of the 2021–22 Youth Advisory Council cohort, Charlie is eager to continue their work with LAC, sharing perspectives and learning from other youth across the country.

Born in northern Alberta, Christopher Richmond-Krahn headed south to pursue a growing interest in English and History. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Lethbridge. Christopher has recently begun working in the museum sector, where he has found a passion for sharing history. He believes that the LAC Youth Advisory Council offers a unique opportunity to keep connected with contemporary concerns facing the sector while also growing his knowledge of new initiatives, and learning about and helping in a variety of projects. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, playing video games and spending time in nature.

Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Treaty 1 territory), Clèche Kokolo is currently a student at the University of Manitoba pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies. As an avid youth advocate, Clèche is passionate about ensuring that there is an active and diverse youth voice at important decision-making tables. Her passion for youth engagement has driven her advocacy work and community involvement. During her spare time, Clèche enjoys baking and going for walks.

Delphine Robitaille was born in Montréal, where she completed high school at the Pensionnat du Saint-Nom-de-Marie. She is now pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Ottawa, on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Nation. She was a member of the 2021–22 cohort of the House of Commons Page Program, which fueled her passion for politics and the Canadian legislative process. This year, she is continuing her journey in Parliament in the Journals section. She is also interested in literature and social issues, particularly in relation to feminism and gender.

Gabrielle McLaren received a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in History with a minor in World Literature from Simon Fraser University in 2020, and a Master’s degree in History from Concordia University in 2022. Her research interests include environmental, medical, labour and colonization history in Canada. She is currently working as Associate Director of the Deindustrialization and the Politics of Our Time (DePOT) transnational research project. She lives in Montréal and spends her free time playing board games, kayaking and knitting.

Iles Ousmer is a 16-year-old student in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at École secondaire Henri-Bourassa. He is open-minded and involved in his community, and he lends his voice to causes that are important to him. He has been involved with the RCMP’s National Youth Advisory Committee and in organizing events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Black History Month at his school. He also heads BJR Café, a community-based, vegetarian, social and cultural youth co-operative in the north end of Montréal.

Jeremy Houchane is currently in high school and is completing the International Baccalaureate Programme. Originally from Lebanon, his parents moved to Prince Edward Island when he was a month old. He has won awards for outstanding achievement in academics and music, and is fluent in English, French and Arabic. Jeremy has previously been on the RCMP’s National Youth Advisory Committee. In his free time, Jeremy loves to play piano, go cycling and learn about cars. He is considering studying science at university.

Kory Melnick is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping her community and connecting with others. She is currently pursuing a Master of Information and Master of Resources and Environmental Management dual degree at Dalhousie University in Halifax, where she currently lives. Kory also works as a Student Librarian Assistant at the Patrick Power Library, where she works specifically in Outreach and Engagement. Upon completion of her studies, she hopes to pursue a career as a Community Services Librarian. When she is not reading or in the library, Kory can often be found outside exploring, or playing with her dogs.

Born in Brandon, Manitoba, and now residing in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Liam McKay-Argyriou is a Grade 11 student at Marion Graham Collegiate. A former member of the RCMP’s National Youth Advisory Committee, Liam frequently volunteers in his community and is the co-chairperson of his high school’s student council charity committee. In his free time, he enjoys sports, creative writing, musical theatre and playing with his dachshund, Haggis. Liam is excited to join the LAC Youth Advisory Council, and he hopes to encourage Canadian youth to engage with government services and resources.

Mia Jakobsen is currently a student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Book and Media Studies and Sexual Diversity Studies. She is originally from Singapore but now splits her time between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario. Mia is an aspiring librarian and archivist, with a passion for queer history and social justice. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching musicals, organizing her Notion pages and drinking tea.

Tobi Kamoru enjoys learning new things in her leisure time; these could range from new recipes to dance routines. She graduated from Carleton University in 2020 after studying Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. Tobi is currently working as a researcher in health-care technology and enjoys being able to make an impact in this arena.