Legislative Assembly of Ontario speaker visits Sudbury schools

Ontario's first female speaker, Donna Skelly, visited her Sudbury alma mater on Wednesday. CTV News was there.

Donna Skelly, the first female speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, was in Sudbury on Wednesday.

Skelly visited students at Marymount Academy, where she attended school as a child.

“I grew up in Capreol,” she told students.

“My father was a railroad engineer. My mom worked at the mine. I came to Marymount College. I went to elementary school in Capreol, but I came here in Grade 9 (and) graduated from Grade 12 in 1979.”

Skelly said visiting her alma mater is part of her initiative to bring the legislature to northern and rural Ontario.

“I think it’s really important,” she said.

“Politics goes beyond the MPP, the elected official. There are so many roles that are exciting and so many opportunities for young people, such as the page program, the mock parliaments that we have at Queen’s Park.”

There are other opportunities as well, she said, including reporters, clerks, security and staffers for MPPs.

As part of Skelly’s visit, students took part in an interactive civic education session focusing on how government and the legislature function, including the process of passing laws.

Mock debate

One of the highlights was a mock debate where Skelly presided as speaker, allowing students to experience first-hand what it’s like to participate in government proceedings.

Students debated the merits of a five-day school week compared to a four-day school week. Grade 11 student Mia Dufresne said Skelly’s visit made a big impact.

“It was amazing to hear from a former Regal and to see how successful she is and to see a woman in such a position of power,” she said.

“And it was really inspiring. I didn’t know that we hadn’t had a woman as the speaker in 158 years. And so learning about that was really cool -- and eye-opening. And learning about her experience as a Regal was awesome.”

Tammy Jutila, a Grade 8 English teacher at Marymount, said it was inspiring to hear that Skelly had been unsuccessful in two elections -- but didn’t give up.

“I think the biggest message that she delivered was don’t be afraid to try new things and to fail, because out of that failure will come success,” Jutila said.

“To my students … she’s an inspiration. I think that there’s a lot to learn from her. I hope they follow her on social media and take up her invitation to tour the (legislature) and learn more about a career opportunity they’ve never considered before.”

In addition to her Marymount visit, Skelly also met with students from C.R. Judd Public School on Wednesday.