Welcome to this session of the status of women committee. With us we have the minister, the Honourable Josée Verner, and from Status of Women Canada, Ms. Beckton and Nanci-Jean Waugh.
Since the minister has a very limited time--she's here with us for an hour--I would like her to make any remarks she wishes. Minister, the normal procedure is to allow 10 minutes for remarks and then there'll be Q and A with the members.
Minister, the floor is yours.