Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to apologize to committee for my outburst and provide just a little context.
I had just come from the House, where, when I was asking a question very important to me on hate crimes against the gay community, I was heckled by a member of the Conservative party with, “What about the Jews?”
I found that extremely troubling. People will know around this table that I am among the most collegial and among the most respectful—at least I think that's my reputation. I'm not a heckler in the House.
That was what was behind that, but I also want to say that respect also means respect for the work of the committee and not bringing other political agendas from outside this committee to frustrate the work of the committee. When that happens, it frustrates me greatly.
On the bill we have in front of us, Bill C-40, indigenous people and racialized people, but in particular indigenous women, have been waiting for years for a better way to challenge the miscarriages of justice that have taken place in this country. When we have heard from all the parties that they are, in principle, in favour of this bill, it's very frustrating for some members of the committee to be prevented from getting to the work of the committee, so I am frustrated. I will admit that. I don't believe I'm being disrespectful by being frustrated with not being able to make progress on a bill we all agree on.
I too hope that we can move through this today. I'm prepared to stay here as long as it takes, obviously, to do this, but that wouldn't be about the injustices that people have suffered in our justice system. That would be about another political agenda, and that's what I find frustrating.
Thank you.