Status of Women Committee on May 28th, 2012
Evidence of meeting #36 for Status of Women in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was girls.
A recording is available from Parliament.
On the agenda
MPs speaking
Also speaking
- Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond Representative, British Columbia, Representative for Children and Youth
- Jennifer Flanagan President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
- Claudia Mitchell James McGill Professor, Department of Integrated Studies in Education, McGill University
- Jessica Danforth Executive Director, Native Youth Sexual Health Network
4:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
Thank you.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
Yes, I was 18 when I started!
It was a very grassroots beginning. We were university students who thought there was a need for this type of programming. We thought it would be a great thing to do nationally, and started it that way.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
I have a science degree and got an MBA after that.
4:30 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
Thanks for asking.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
NDP
May 28th, 2012 / 4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Mississauga South, ON
Perfect.
I want to ask you about the all-girls model and why you think that's important. Even though it's not our jurisdiction specifically here at this committee or for this government, we have talked to other witnesses about all-girls models for education and other programs. Why do you think they're important?
4:35 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
That is based purely on internal research we've done. We asked the girls what they prefer, where they're more comfortable, and how they like to participate. Overwhelmingly, within the context of science and technology and engineering, they prefer an all-girls environment.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
4:35 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Actua
Yes. They will often do coed as well once they're in the program, but from the response from parents and the girls.... And in terms of the waiting lists, it's never a problem to fill all-girls camps. So there's definitely a demand.
4:35 p.m.
Conservative
Stella Ambler Mississauga South, ON
That's good to know. I found it interesting when you were talking about the grade levels, and where you found the switch happening between grade four and grade six.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
The Chair Marie-Claude Morin
I must stop you here. I am sorry. Your time has expired. Thank you.
Ms. Sgro, you have about five minutes left. Please go ahead.