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Camille Horton-Poole describes herself as a 鈥済overnment nerd.鈥� The first-year 黄色直播 student completed a political science degree before taking up her Master of Public Administration (MPA), and has worked as a page in the Nova Scotia legislature. When a friend told her about an event called Daughters of the Vote, which would see her sit in Parliament for a day, she knew she had to apply.

(DOV) was created by Equal Voice, an organization dedicated to increasing female representation in politics. For International Women鈥檚 Day 2017, one woman between the age of 18 and 23 was invited from each riding in Canada to spend a week in Ottawa, learning about the political process and the experience of being a woman in the public service.

The interests that brought Horton-Poole to the School of Public Administration (SPA) also took her to Ottawa for DOV. While she was considering next steps after her undergraduate degree, a professor told her about the MPA program. 鈥淚 realized that doing a thesis-based master鈥檚 wasn鈥檛 really what I wanted, but I still wanted a degree that would gear me towards government, particularly in Canada,鈥� she explains. While she applied to similar programs in her home province of Ontario, she had fallen in love with Halifax and 黄色直播 and decided to stay. In her studies and otherwise, Horton-Poole is always interested in the 鈥渉ow鈥� of enacting change in public life. 鈥淕oing to Daughters of the Vote allowed me to develop a different perspective of how government and the public service work,鈥� she says.

Horton-Poole applied for DOV to learn other things as well. 鈥淚 always want to know more about what people in other parts of the country are facing, and how I can have a hand in fixing those problems,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 knew it would take me away from school for a week, but I thought, 鈥業鈥檓 never going to forgive myself if I don鈥檛 do this,鈥欌�� she recalls.

A provincial panel selected the delegates based on submissions in which the applicant was asked to identify problems in her riding and how she would solve them. Asked why she thinks she was selected, Horton-Poole responds, 鈥淚 guess the issues I talked about resonated with the panel and the ideas I presented made them think I鈥檇 be a good representative for Halifax.鈥�

With her avid interest in public service and the government, Horton-Poole was thrilled with the week in Ottawa, especially the day in Parliament. One of the best moments, she says, was just walking through the doors into the House of Commons. 鈥淏eing a political science student, it was probably one of the best days of my life,鈥� she says. 鈥淏eing there on the floor was an overwhelming experience.鈥� At times, she says, tears welled up.

The other highlight, she says, was hearing former Prime Minister Kim Campbell speak about her brief time in office. Horton-Poole recounted a story from Campbell: 鈥淪he told us that when she was prime minister, there was a debate about using 鈥榣e鈥� or 鈥榣a鈥� on her French letterhead,鈥� says Horton-Poole. 鈥淪he said 鈥業 wasn鈥檛 in power for a very long time, but the government never throws anything away, so there鈥檚 a stack of French letterhead waiting for one of you.鈥� To hear the only woman prime minister saying that it can happen and it鈥檚 waiting for you, you just have to make it happen鈥攖hat was just so incredible.鈥�

Some delegates also spoke about their ridings. Horton-Poole was especially engrossed by the young women from Northern and Western Canada. 鈥淚t was really interesting to hear their stories, what their communities are dealing with,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was also impressive to see how diverse the House of Commons was that day. So many points of view are going to be at the table soon, and that will really change how Canada operates in the future.鈥�

During the rest of the week, the delegates participated in workshops and meetings with political figures and public servants, and spent a 鈥渓eadership day鈥� learning about the barriers to being a woman in politics. After a busy, emotional week, the delegates returned to their ridings, and Horton-Poole returned to class with some new ideas about her future. She has long intended to work in the public service, but not in a political capacity. Being a Daughter of the Vote, though, has made her rethink her intention not to enter politics. 鈥淎fter that week, I think it鈥檚 probably going to happen someday,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen I walked through the doors and I was on the floor of the House of Commons, I realized this could happen, even for me.鈥�

But the road to a political career will definitely start with public service: when she finishes her MPA, Horton-Poole plans to work hard in her adopted province. 鈥淚 see a lot of potential in Nova Scotia, in immigrant retention, youth retention and economics,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o my goal immediately after is working here, and because I鈥檓 a government nerd I鈥檇 be happy to work in any department.鈥� Along the way, she hopes to gain valuable experience for any aspiring politician. 鈥淚 want to be able to do some of that work,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd then really figure out what I can do in political life to give back to Nova Scotia.鈥�