Honourable members, where would any of us be without our education? Today over 130 million girls are not in school, not because they don't want to be but because they are denied their right to be.
Canada has an opportunity to make a big change in this, a big difference. Committing just 2ยข per Canadian per day, Canada can lead the way in changing the opportunity for girls' education around the world.
Every dollar invested in girls' education has a tenfold effect in producing health and income benefits in low-income countries. It's also estimated that about one-third of the decrease in adult mortality since 1970 can be attributed to gains in the education of women and girls.
In budget 2018, please let's make a difference and invest in quality education for all girls around the world.
Thank you.