For most Grade 9 students, “Take Our Kids To Work Day” means following their parents to work, but for one teen they had another workplace in mind. Anaïs L’Ecuyer-Steele has always had a keen interest in politics; it came at a young age. So, the 14-year-old reached to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s office to see if she could shadow him for the day. She wasn’t expecting a response but when she did, she says she was surprised and excited. “I emailed them thinking there probably won’t be a response, they are very busy and they have a lot of people emailing them,” said L’Ecuyer-Steele. But the premier’s office did email back and invited the teen to accompany Houston on Wednesday. “I was so excited,” said L’Ecuyer-Steele, who was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Houston and other politicians and officials in Dartmouth for the groundbreaking of an Amazon robotics facility. A career in politics wasn’t on Houston’s radar in Grade 9, but he says any interest from the future generation is a good thing. “There’s a lot happening in our province and we want ambitious young people to know there are opportunities for them in our province,” said Houston. “And anytime they can get exposure to different careers and see different things that are happening, it’s good.” L’Ecuyer-Steele has gained some experience already in student government and says she hopes more women will get into politics around the globe. “I know there’s a lot of countries that don’t have women’s rights and I think it’s important that we keep evolving it,” she said. The ambitious and aspiring teen toured the province house and even sat in the premier’s chair. She said the experience only reinforced her political ambitions. “It really showed that this is what I want to do,” said L’Ecuyer-Steele. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
