The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Member of Parliament for Nepean and Prime Minister of Canada, hosted over 60 students from his riding's St. Benedict Catholic School on Parliament Hill and provided them the opportunity to tour West Block, attend Question Period in the House of Commons, and speak directly with him regarding Canadian policy formation, national youth leadership, and opportunities for public service.
The visit provided students with a unique opportunity to connect their classroom learning with firsthand experience of Canada’s democratic institutions. Through their time on Parliament Hill, students gained a deeper understanding of how Parliament operates, the role of elected officials, and the importance of civic engagement in shaping Canada’s future.
Prime Minister Carney welcomed the students and spoke with them about the importance of youth engagement in democracy, leadership, and public service. “Engaging with young Canadians and hearing their perspectives is an important part of building the future of our country,” said the Prime Minister. “Our democracy is strongest when Canadians of all ages understand their role in it and feel empowered to participate.”
Prime Minister Carney engaging with students from St. Benedict Catholic School during their visit to Parliament Hill, answering questions about government, leadership, and Canada’s democratic institutions.
The visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen civic education and youth engagement with democratic institutions, including initiatives that encourage students to better understand Canada’s parliamentary system through direct observation and dialogue.
Recent federal priorities related to children and families have focused on affordability and targeted supports aimed at improving access to essential services. This includes the National School Food Program, a federal initiative investing up to $1 billion over five years (2024–2029) to help expand access to nutritious meals for children in schools across Canada.
The program is expected to support food access for up to 400,000 additional children annually, while working with provinces, territories, and community partners to reduce barriers to participation in school food programs and improve consistency in meal provision.
Prime Minister Carney's government also continues to invest in programs and initiatives that support children, youth, and families across the country. Through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system, the federal government is working with provinces and territories to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care, with a goal of reaching an average of $10-a-day child care across Canada. The program is supported through more than $30 billion in federal funding over five years to strengthen child care systems, create new spaces, and support families.
Broader affordability measures have also included ongoing investments through federal–provincial agreements supporting early learning and childcare systems, alongside targeted cost-of-living relief programs designed to reduce household pressures on families with children.