Would it be possible to set up a pilot project? Actually, there is a Status of Women Canada program, a partnership program. It could help in keeping young women in non-traditional occupations. You can speak to Sylvie after the meeting.
We are doing this because we want to find solutions to your problems. We need you to tell us what your challenges are, your recommendations, and how we can best help you. As female members of Parliament, we are engaged in a non-traditional occupation ourselves. It is a constant struggle to effect change. We are aware of the fact that, until 30% of members of Parliament are women, there will be no change. The same was true of female cashiers: until there were women doing the job, nothing changed. We really have to work together, to cooperate, and that is why we invited you here today. We want to have as much information as possible so that we can help you to continue your excellent work.
Ms. Penner, I congratulate you, you worked in the construction sector in 1990, in Manitoba. I was working on a farm in Saskatchewan at the time. And believe me, I know what you went through. I commend you, you really are an exceptional woman. As Ms. Hoeppner said, it is good to have women, role models like you, but we need to see and get to know these role models. We would never have met you. How is that possible? Are there no newspapers, magazines, that talk about women in non-traditional occupations? I do not know.