Mr. Speaker, this week is Guide and Scout Week. I was a Girl Guide and a Tawny Owl and though I no longer dob, dob, dob, belonging to the Guides left me with a respect for our environment and a deep sense of social responsibility that probably led me to becoming a Liberal.
Since its introduction in 1910, Girl Guides has grown into an organization with 176,000 members in Canada. Canada's first female astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar, was a Guide. Girl Guides provides an opportunity for girls aged five and up to develop their skills in leadership, the outdoors, friendship, cooperation, self-esteem and self-reliance.
Most of us look forward to the Girl Guides' spring cookie campaign. Proceeds go to helping young women to make new friends, meet new challenges and experience the outdoors and adventure that guiding offers.
Last year over six million Canadians bought Girl Guide cookies. These chocolate and vanilla treats have become a Canadian tradition.
I ask the House to join me in extending our best wishes to the Girl Guides and Scouts of Canada during this important week.