Portage la Prairie officially has a new youth city councillor.

New Portage la Prairie youth councillor Lasha Mackedenski.

Grade 12 Portage Collegiate Institute student Lasha Mackedenski was sworn into the non-voting position at last night's city council meeting at the PCU Centre. The 17-year-old student says she's looking forward to getting started, and hopes to learn.

"I was fairly interested in politics to begin with, and it seemed like a great way to experience the municipal workings of our city," Mackedenski says. "I'm hoping to get a good idea of how municipal politics work, and a chance to interact with our community and make it a better place."

Mackedenski is the second student to have the opportunity to sit as a youth city councillor since the idea was first introduced in 2015. PCI graduate Donovan Hillman occupied the role from February 2015 to August 2016.

Mayor Irvine Ferris says council's proud to welcome Lasha to the position. He says it's an important initiative as it allows youth to have a voice -- albeit a non-voting one -- on council.

"We, as councillors, get elected to represent all the people in our city. But we get elected by people ages 18 and older," Mayor Ferris says. "This ensures people younger than that have a voice, and ensures council stays current on the issues affecting the youth in our city."

"Youth are a very, very important part of our population," Ferris continues. "And this bring us information and provides a liaison with the high school."