This October students in the Beyond Borders program had the privilege of visiting Parliament Hill while on a trip to Ottawa, Ontario. While at Parliament, students had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney, Guelph MP Dominique O'Rourke, and Senator Robert Black.

Guelph MP Dominique O'Rourke welcomed students and staff in her speech and spoke about the program to the House of Commons on October 28, 2026. O'Rourke's full speech can be found here. O'Rourke spent time during the day to speak to students about politics in general, but also the importance of female representation in politics. Many students said that O'Rourke's speech about women in leadership positions was not only an eye opener, but also incredibly inspirational.

Students were introduced to Prime Minister Mark Carney while at Parliament Hill and had the privilege of speaking with him for several minutes. Carney spoke to students about the Beyond Borders program, their trip to Ottawa, and the many opportunities for students in the region.

While in Ottawa, students and staff got the chance to experience more of what the city has to offer – this trip being the first time in Ottawa for many students. Beyond Borders students toured the Fairmont Château Laurier and got a glimpse into the hospitality industry, visited Carleton University for a lecture about the Canadian and European trade discussions, and took a meeting with Global News reporter David Akin.

Students said that this trip presented them with many opportunities that they had never thought of before and had a great time visiting our nation's capital.