Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to each of the witnesses for appearing today.
I want to point out that there's been some comment that we're under a great deal of pressure to put this bill into force in its current form. I want to indicate that is not the case. All we're asking for, Mr. Chair, is to move ahead to clause-by-clause, at which time there could be amendments suggested and we could move ahead.
We also know that there have been many previous attempts to repeal section 67 under various bills by at least two different political parties. I think it's unfair to suggest that this is just the move of this government. In 1992, there was Bill C-108. In 2000, there was the independent review panel, and, incidentally, all groups that represent aboriginal women strongly supported that recommendation. In 2002, there was Bill C-7, and in 2005, Bill S-45. In October 2005, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, again, on the matter of rights, strongly recommended immediate repeal. Again, in 2006 the international community, the United Nations, condemned our record in Canada for our failure to repeal section 67.
In light of all of that previous discussion, I'm surprised by your comment that this item is not even on the radar screen of the people whom you've discussed this with. I'm wondering what the general perception would have been in the Canadian public in 1977 in terms of their radar screen prior to the actual implementation of the Canadian Human Rights Act. You may not be able to answer that, but it's a question I have. Is it fair to assume that this will not become clear on the radar screen until we actually get it passed and maybe have a reasonable time for implementation?