I'm going to try and summarize what I heard today. You say, Ms. Scott-Parker, that in order to attain objectives effectively, and reduce maternal and infant mortality, we should offer a range of services that would provide access to all means, including contraception and abortion. That is the vision you are defending, in Canada and elsewhere.
Ms. McDonald, you said something that touched me deeply. You spoke about a fundamental right. You said that last year in Italy, industrialized countries had committed to reducing maternal and infant deaths. This assistance must also be in compliance with international treaties.
In light of what we have been hearing for some time, and given that this debate is being reopened—you even referred to two recent quotes from Ms. Oda, who omitted a few passages from paragraph 8.25—given this approach—is the government not politicizing this whole issue? This is a basic human right. Is the government not trampling human rights by not meeting the commitments that the Conservative government made internationally? That is my perception. Is my understanding correct? This is a basic right, and by attempting to get around it, the government is politicizing the whole issue.