Millennium Kids Visit Parliament Hill

As Millennium Kids set out from Toronto, CITYTV Breakfast Television came to film and interview the students for the morning show.

On the Hill, PS Celine Caesar-Chavannes described the complexities of international development work; for example, unless forced childhood marriage ends, some investment into girls’ education becomes ineffective. Millennium Kids pressed the parliamentary secretary on how and when we would reach our 0.7% aid promise in order to meet the SDGs by 2030. 

10-year-old Samantha posed a memorable question: why do we sign agreements if we are not going to keep them (like 0.7% aid)?

MP Julie Dzerowicz described her work on gender equality and encouraged Millennium Kids (MKs) to help make girls’ education a priority at the 2018 G7 meeting that Canada will host. She suggested students copy her on their emails to the prime minister so she can raise their issues at caucus meetings.

Both vice-chairs of the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee also kindly took time to meet with Millennium Kids on Monday: MP Hélène Laverdière encouraged MKs to keep using their voices for the SDGs/0.7% aid and never give up! She reminded us all to let our MPs know what’s important so they can be our voices in Parliament. MP Dean Allison (also vice-chair) described the work of the committee and the strength of doing international development work in collaboration with other countries. Along the same theme, he encouraged MKs to continue their efforts and consider how to join voices with other organizations for greater impact.  

While we were watching Question Period from the visitor’s gallery overhead, MP Dzerowicz bent down beside PM Justin Trudeau to point out the Millennium Kids to him. PM Trudeau looked up, smiled and gave an enthusiastic wave to the Millennium Kids, who returned the wave with great excitement!