At its last council meeting, the members of the Pincourt municipal council took the opportunity to officially congratulate a young citizen, Philippe Nathan Crisafi, for his civic involvement in the intercultural and youth committees, and for his role as a leader who sets an example and encourages young people to get involved in municipal life.

Mr. Crisafi's background is unique and singular. He developed an interest in municipal life at the age of 10, with the support of his mother. At the age of 12, town councillor Sam Ierfino, whom Philippe Nathan describes as his mentor, approached him to join the intercultural committee. And it didn't stop there.

He developed a passion for municipal democratic action, eventually becoming co-president and then president of the Town of Pincourt's intercultural committee, a position he still holds.

In May, after devoting many hours to studying the town's democratic functioning, he left for Morges in Switzerland for a few weeks to carry out a comparative study of participatory democratic life in the municipalities of Morges and Pincourt. The study is part of his final thesis for the Collège international de Sainte-Anne.

He chose Morges in Switzerland because of its federal system, similar to that of Canada, and because the town is similar to Pincourt in demography and geography. What's more, both towns are located in close proximity to waterways.

Mr. Crisafi notes a number of similarities: "Like Pincourt, Morges has chosen to go out and meet its citizens, consult them and take their opinions into account.

"I found the same desire for inclusion in several areas: intercultural, youth and design.

However, he adds, the way things work is very different. "In Pincourt, there are six councillors and the mayor. In Morges, 100 local councillors attend meetings and join the 7 councillors and 1 syndic.

"The system is more complex. Communal councillors cover several consultations, they are present in all sectors, including sport and the environment, and in all relations with citizens as a whole.

"Swiss communes have more autonomy, more funds and more resources than Quebec municipalities," he concludes.

Philippe Nathan is only 18, but his enthusiasm for the municipal world is not about to fade. He will start studying law in Ottawa in September. "If you want to innovate and change the rules, you need to know how".

Philippe won't give up his passion; on the contrary, he believes that the municipal world is the guarantor of many accomplishments. He's quick to point out: "Municipal affairs are worth getting involved in, because the impact of commitment is tangible and you can see the results. This is an area where things are moving forward".

Mr. Crisafi will present the results of his Morges-Pincourt study to members of the Pincourt municipal council in August.

The Town of Pincourt's resolution is certainly well-deserved, and the best is undoubtedly yet to come for Philippe. Some have already written on his Facebook page that they see him as a future prime minister.

Here's a summary of the motion:

"MOTION OF CONGRATULATIONS - CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT AND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PINCOURT/MORGES DEMOCRATIC ELEMENTS - To thank and congratulate Mr. Philippe Nathan Crisafi for his exemplary involvement in the Town of Pincourt's democratic institutions and to wish him success in his upcoming law studies".