Minister, to begin with, I want to thank you for your time this morning. I want to raise a question that is of great concern to me with respect to the $5-million cut made to Status of Women Canada's administrative spending. This has had the effect of decreasing the staff complement at Status of Women Canada, which has gone from 131 to 70. I am wondering whether the fact that SWC has fewer staff could have an impact on Canada's obligations and commitments to the international community. Is it possible that Canada might not be able to meet the goals he has set?
I am a little concerned because, recently, I read a brief presented to Status of Women Canada that refers to an entirely new organization that has been put in place at the United Nations and which is working on the Gender Gap Index. According to that study, the situation has deteriorated in the last two years. The Index shows growing inequality between men and women in Canada. What is even more striking is that, in 2006, Canada ranked 14th in that regard. In 2007, it dropped to 18th place. So, I am concerned to see that we have fewer staff and fewer resources at Status of Women Canada, even as the government is making commitments and pledging to meet its commitments to the United Nations in terms of reducing inequality. We have also pledged, as part of our mandate, to carry out a gender analysis.
How does Status of Women Canada expect to be able to support the government in meeting that commitment?