Initially, when we undertook this study, the focus was gender budgeting, but along the way, it became gender based analysis. As I see it, these are two different things. First, I would like you to explain the difference to me. On listening to your concerns, I have to wonder if you believe gender budgeting is needed. To hear you speak, men get everything, and women get nothing.
I have daughters and I know that both men and women are eligible for tax credits, for example, for public transit passes. Many women take the bus because they do not own an automobile. I understand where you are going with this. We all want to see some improvements. Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world. We ourselves are imperfect human beings, and despite that, we try to work miracles here. With all due respect, if I could work miracles, I would not be here discussing gender budgeting. The problem would already be resolved. In my opinion, there is a big difference between gender based analysis and gender budgeting.
Elsewhere, we must not lose sight of the fact that the government has a lot on its plate. That is to be expected, since we are running the country. Nevertheless, we are at the stage where we need to educate society. Not everyone understands the meaning of “gender budgeting”. I have broached the subject with less fortunate women in my riding and, judging from the looks they gave me, they seemed to be wondering what in heaven's name I had been smoking. I realized that even women knew nothing about gender budgeting.
As Ms. Demers so aptly stated, there are four political parties and even though in the world of politics, nothing is perfect, we are trying to do something that is non-political to benefit women. I hope that one day our efforts will prove successful. I would like to see some tangible solutions. I can dream, but dreams do not take a person very far. We can accomplish much, but it will take a great deal of time. I would like us to determine exactly where we want to go and what kind of solid plan we need to get there. That way, even if another government is elected to office one day, we will have a solid plan in place to ensure that women are no longer victims of the political process.