Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'm very sorry, but I'm not defending a political agenda. My sole purpose is to advance the cause of women, period. My colleague and I have been travelling around Quebec during the last two two-week adjournment periods. We've met with women's groups, more than during our meetings here. When you've received 36% of the vote, you can't claim that 100% of people think like you do. I'm sorry, but that's not the actual situation. The actual situation is that women everywhere, in all regions of Quebec, in all towns, in rural and urban areas, express the same complaints, have the same demands. They aren't happy that these cuts have been imposed and they don't believe that the word “equality” should disappear from Status of Women Canada or from Status of Women Canada's documents. They don't believe they can demand their rights if we gag and muzzle them.
This motion constitutes false help for women, false help with regard to their freedom and their freedom of expression. It's not true, Madam Chair. I'm going to vote against this motion.