Thank you.
I want to thank both of the witnesses here today for the work you've done.
Ms. Lalonde, I've read your book, I follow your posts and my staff and I did your bystander training. You do amazing work and you do it in spite of the threats and harassment that you get. I just would personally like to thank you.
The mayor of Burlington, Ontario, Marianne Meed Ward, brought together all of the women who are elected in Halton region. She's been doing this for a few years. After I announced that I wasn't running again, she drafted up a pledge that was signed by, I think, 21 or 22 women in Halton region. I just want to read it.
It says:
...we, the women of H.E.R. (Halton Elected Representatives):
1. Pledge to support each other and call out abuse and harassment when we see it or experience it.
2. Call on all our allies to stand with us to support women in office and call out all forms of abuse and harassment.
3. Call on all elected officials to uphold the highest standards of conduct, focusing on respectful debate of the issues and not personal attacks.
4. Call on the relevant authorities to ensure the protection of individuals who speak out against abuse, and who experience abuse, providing them with the necessary support and resources.
Ms. Lalonde, I'm going to start with you because I feel that touches a little bit on the type of bystander training that you do.
A lot of times, as MPs, we don't call out others on what is put out into the public sphere. I'm just wondering if you can maybe comment on your thoughts on that pledge and whether you think it would be helpful. Then I'll turn to Samara.