From high school, to the House of Commons.
After graduating this past June, Caoimhe-Ann Carroll traded the west coast and walls of Quw'utsun Secondary for that of the House of Common in Ottawa as she was one of 40 Canadian students selected to take part in their 2025/26 Page Program.
“It feels surreal every day, and I am so grateful to be here," said Caoimhe-Ann. "I miss home, but this experience is amazing. This is the life I have worked so hard to have. My supervisors are great role models and are supportive of all of us.”
Born and raised in the valley, Carroll has always been passionate about politics and first learned of the 'Page Program' through her Grade 8 Social Studies teacher Tara O’Hara. Applying for the 2025/26 program is a multi-step process. All applicants are required to take a fluency test as all Pages must be bilingual in both English and French as well as submit both written and verbal references. The top candidates must complete a security clearance check, and go though the interview process with Page supervisors.
"I believe Caoimhe-Ann’s passion for politics and drive to be accepted into this program added to her being one of the top 40 candidates as well as three years of thinking, studying and preparing for this opportunity also really helped," said her mother Anita Carroll. "I am excited to see my daughter have this experience and witness Canadian politics first-hand. She was raised in a family that encourages critical thinking, to be politically aware and speak up. She has been involved with leadership opportunities both in school and in the local community, so this feels like a natural next step for her."
Carroll, who had visited Ottawa a few times on holidays, relocated there this past August to embark on her training for the Page Program and started her first year of studies in History and Political Sciences at the University of Ottawa. She was sworn in by the Speaker of the House, Francis Scarpaleggia and HOC clerk Eric Janse on Sept. 14, the day before the House opened for its fall session.
The Page Program, which is a 12-month contract position, held Zoom meetings prior to Carroll's move to Ottawa which outlined the expectations and how the program works. In addition, Pages were required to know the names of all 343 Members of Parliament and were tested on Aug. 25. Formal training started on Aug. 20 once all 40 selected for the program arrived in Ottawa. While Carroll said the training felt long and the content dense, the moment she walked into the Chamber to be sworn in she said it felt like a beautiful reward.
Like most first year university students Caoimhe-Ann is learning the ropes of living on campus and juggling school and work.
Hard work is nothing new to her; in addition to being involved with the District Student Advisory Committee and the Climate Action Advisory Committees through SD 79, as well as being a leader at her dance studio, she actively fund raised for local charities and non profits for many years. She also took summer classes in Grade 11 in order to graduate a year early.
Anita said the opportunity to participate in the Page Program was the driving force that pushed Caoimhe-Ann throughout high school. She is ecstatic to now see that come to fruition as she works in the beautiful historic building while witnessing parts of Canadian history play out in front of her each day.
"It is a huge privilege to experience parts of Canadian politics that are not streamed on CPAC," said Caoimhe-Ann. "This has really filled my love for politics and for studying Political Science and History at the University of Ottawa."
"I am eager to see what opportunities open up for her; I know she is passionate about advocacy, diversity, equity and inclusion, and I foresee a future in which she makes a difference for others," said Anita. "I want to send out appreciation for teachers who supported my girl while attending French Immersion in the valley (Mme. Younge, Mme. Hoger, Mme. O’Hara, M. Whittington, M. Thorne, Mrs. Berry, Ms. Jackson, Ms. Burr, Ms. Lutters). Thank you to SD 79 DSAC, and CCAC committees and a special shout out to board chair Cathy Schmidt and to the generous community service groups and individuals who support our local students with both bursaries and scholarships; they make a difference."
Applications for 2026/27 Page Program opened Oct. 14. For more information visit www.ourcommons.ca/about/pageprogram.
