Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm speaking to the issue of the terms and conditions, and I acknowledge that the dollar amount left in the program is the same as what was previously in it. But I am very concerned about the shift in the terms and conditions that were brought about. They are substantial. They were done without consultation. They were done without any indication to women's groups.
I have, Madam Chair, a summary of the notes taken by an individual who attended the round table with Ms. Oda in early July in her consultation with women's groups across the country. It's quite clear from the comments made by the individuals who attended that round table--and I don't know how many women there were, fourteen or fifteen--that the issues they were concerned about are the issues that were addressed by the previous terms and conditions of Status of Women.
So if the terms and conditions are to be altered--and I understand there's a new government in place and there's a different ideological base--when we're serving women, I think it's important, or it's incumbent upon us, to do a consultation with them on any major shift in the terms and conditions. That did not happen.
In fact, the notes I have here really reaffirm the importance of the previous terms and conditions. I believe the changes were substantial, and I think it's important that we discuss this motion in the House.