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Michael Coteau

Replying to Ben Carr (Liberal)
“Mr. Speaker, I really enjoyed my colleague’s speech. As I have talked about many times in the House, I spent well over a decade in the public education system, so his reference to young people was one I appreciated. I am wondering if the member can offer some commentary further to what he gave in his remarks a moment ago about how the budget process and this exercise we undertake here in Parliament can be used as an educational tool for those he represents in his riding.”

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Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his commitment to young people, to families and to education. There is no question that education is the best tool we can use for success and to build a strong Canadian individual and family. That is the best investment, I believe, we can make. I try every single Friday to go to at least one elementary school. Last week I was at a school, and we talked about Bill C-34 and the impact the bill would have on the school. In fact, a high school has invited me to come talk about the bill. That type of engagement, that type of consultation, is important. I always leave the classroom telling students not to let people make decisions on their behalf without their paying attention, because throughout their lifetime, there will be people in rooms such as this, at city halls and in provincial governments, who will be making decisions on their behalf, and their political literacy has to be at such a level where they can figure these things out and challenge the people who are making decisions if they are bad decisions.