Finance committee  In my opinion, there is an overlap. As I mentioned, we're outstripped five to one in demand. Gary and I have done work together in cross-pollinating ideas and sharing, because we deal with the same audience as the educators.

Finance committee  I think the important thing.... I commend the challenge coming from the NDP, because I think it is important scrutiny to get this right, and I think the initiative is very important. I think that at the end of the day, what Gary said and what all of us are saying is that we're the trusted brokers, and it's not going to get beyond that.

Finance committee  I think it is absolutely essential. I too have been a teacher through to a principal, and I have written for the ministry of education. I would say it's about adding value, not work. The content is actually the easy part. The pedagogy, as you would know, is the key. There are a lot of valuable resources out in the field, and that's why in our model we bring in the business community.

Finance committee  Can I suggest something, because you only have a minute? I have read the blues and all of those things. I think that's a dangerous place to go, because it really takes away from some of the focus of what it means to the different age groups we have here. We could all come up with definitions about wise career decision-making.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  I hope I can answer your question correctly. I just want to mention that Junior Achievement does currently get funding through banks, and we feel there's no conflict of interest in that regard, so I'm trying to provide a model that actually reflects that currently. Even though that would be a very different situation for the leader, I think it is something that obviously would have to be enshrined in the legislation.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  I'll just quickly comment. I would not know some of the details in terms of the advisory composition you might be putting forward. Certainly, as a national and international organization ourselves, we always have advisory committees. To Gary's point, one of the things that we think is fundamental to this is the fact that we want to see the beginnings of something that we see as fundamental for Canadians.

Finance committee  I'll say it very quickly. Across the country, we look at inclusivity as being the key point and the opportunity for students in that space. Aboriginals are certainly an area where we've been doing extensive work, as are those students who are at risk. With regard to Gary's point, I'm speaking with someone regarding mental health and looking at that.

Finance committee  Junior Achievement and many other organizations currently are cross-jurisdictional in terms of provinces. Junior Achievement has had this ongoing relationship for over 58 years. In the presentation we did with the federal literacy task force, I encouraged focusing on those things that are in common versus those things that are different.

Finance committee  I think all of us...we do meet on a regular basis, as Mack mentioned, through the Financial Literacy Action Group. That was our way of making a statement that six NGOs can come together and see this as an important opportunity to act in a coordinated manner. With regard to enshrining this in the bill, perhaps it comes down to the nomenclature.

Finance committee  Thank you very much, Chair and members of the Standing Committee on Finance. Junior Achievement is extremely pleased to be here with you today to discuss an issue of great importance to our organization: financial literacy. Before I specifically address Bill C-28, I would like to provide a brief overview of Junior Achievement and highlight why financial literacy is so important to our organization.