Status of Women committee  Thank you for that. I will echo that. National strategies tend to coordinate provincial ones. We're here about leadership, and I think the federal government could be a leader in setting the tone in what the expectations are, and if their provinces are given money, what it should be spent on—

Status of Women committee  Oh, no. Absolutely.

Status of Women committee  Absolutely. Thank you. What I—

Status of Women committee  I will agree with earmarking. Low-hanging fruit is equal opportunity and expanding educational access. In my case, I do run a small business, but I do need a post-secondary degree in what I'm currently pursuing to actually make a consulting fee that can get me out of poverty.

Status of Women committee  Without the barrier of full-time employment.... I will always be ill, for the rest of my life, so to have a part-time business would be helpful if I could access programs like that.

Status of Women committee  Absolutely.

Status of Women committee  Provincially, we started a push for student nutrition programs through schools and through day cares, and after-school programs that do provide nutrition. That is the first step. It not only provides nutritious food but it does it in a way that allows dignity, so that students are not pointed out for their lack of prosperity.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the question. The link between success and opportunity is really important to understand, and I believe Ms. Lennox touched on this. Without exposure, and especially in young children's lives—exposure to opportunity, to ideas, to growth—leadership, ownership, entrepreneurship do not become options.

Status of Women committee  There are a number of recommendations around accessing adequate food. One, it does come down to income, whether there are social transfers to provinces that are adequate for funding social programs, or something that comes through the federal government. It becomes particularly important to make sure that we keep local farming alive and well, so that fresh food is available locally that isn't at a higher cost.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair and committee members, thank you for the opportunity to address this committee. My name is Laura Cattari, and I am secretary of the board of directors of Canada Without Poverty. Canada Without Poverty is a national non-partisan charity with a more than 40-year history of working to eradicate poverty.