Thank you.
It really is an honour to have you here today, Minister, to present to our committee.
Some of the things I have heard all across this country.... I too have met with a number of women's organizations that have been extremely pleased with the $10.8 million for programs that is still in place. I commend you for working with these individuals. I had a woman in from the YWCA yesterday. She said she'd read the newspaper, and after making some calls she realized the $10.8 million was there. She was so grateful about that.
The fact that you had the two round tables focusing on what actions could be taken by all levels of government, and working in such a collaborative way with all levels of government, and really being determined to take action on these issues, will make a real difference in Canadian women's lives. And I've heard that from several NGOs.
Certainly, it's a very exciting time for Canada right now, under your leadership, to see that action is going to be taken and things are really going to be done, so that it doesn't take years and years of reports and everything, but that things are actually being done. You're actually taking the work that's already been done and amalgamating it in such a way that we can have an action plan.
I'm very interested in the renewed terms and conditions that have been brought forward. I really like the idea that women are equal, that we have the Charter of Rights. That's why immigrants come to Canada. That's why my father and mother came to Canada: because under Canadian laws we are equal citizens, and we can rise to the top if we work hard and if we take those advantages.
You and I have talked. We've talked around this table today. I know that everyone around this table believes in the full participation of women in the economic, social, and cultural life of Canada. That is really what is so exciting.
I have a lot of women's organizations in my riding, and I've met with every one of them. They're excited about these new terms and conditions.
Can you specifically reiterate and talk a little bit more about how these renewed terms and conditions will actually benefit the women in the organizations in my riding? They're very excited about the fact that they're not victims but are equal people. They're ready to go, and they're ready to grow in the Canadian society.