Thank you, Madam Chair.
Minister and Ms. Beckton, thank you for being with us this morning.
Minister, having heard your opening statement, I have four questions for you. I would like to ask them one after the other, and you can answer them in the same manner.
First of all, with respect to gender budgeting, previously there was a person who had been trained in the departments by Status of Women Canada and was responsible for gender analysis. It would seem that these individuals are no longer receiving training from Status of Women Canada. Are you able to confirm, or not confirm, that information?
Also, shelters for Aboriginal women received special funding this year in order to meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. However, we know that the money provided is not enough. Is it your intention to increase funding for Aboriginal women who are victims of violence on an ongoing basis?
Thirdly, you mentioned that you went to Afghanistan and met with the Minister responsible for the Status of Women in that country. However, the Afghan Parliament included only one women, Ms. Malalai Joya. She was expelled from the Government for speaking out against the warlords. Have you pressured the Afghan government to demand that Ms. Joya be reinstated?
And, here is my last question: you say that you want to improve women's economic security. Do you think it could be important to introduce new, proactive legislation to achieve pay equity?