Evidence of meeting #32 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cpp.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Madam Chair, in the two reports I mentioned in the motion are reports on the concerns of Sisters In Spirit, which is reporting on concerns that have already existed for 30 years, concerns of the aboriginal community. They are only reporting such concerns and are only reinforcing the demands by aboriginal communities for action. That is what those two reports are doing, because the government has not taken action.
I fail to understand what more can be learned from reading the reports. Because the reports relate the situation exactly as we know it, as was reported to us by Sisters In Spirit. For years, the past five years, during which they have been receiving funding from Status of Women Canada in order to be able to move forward with their concerns, Sisters In Spirit have been telling us what is happening.
It is time for action, Madam Chair. It is time for the government to take action and to respond to demands by the aboriginal communities. These demands are now supported by two independent organizations: Amnesty International and the United Nations Organization. They are asking for the same thing. They are saying that these women are right to be concerned, that an investigation and a national plan are essential, and that now is the time for action, not in six months or a year from now.
That's all, Madam Chair.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I don't think we can entertain any further debate. Madam Demers has spoken. We have two minutes left, and I would like to see us make a decision on whether we're going to vote on this or whether Madam Demers will accept the suggestion that people be given the report and deal with it the following Tuesday, once they've had a chance to read it.
I don't think it's a dismissal of your motion.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I know we have a week off, but can it be given out and dealt with on Thursday? Can people read the report in a day? It's a very thin report. If we can get you that report tomorrow morning, we may be able to look at this on Thursday afternoon. That would give you a day and a half to look at it.
I would like to see something as important as this not fall prey to a standoff. We need to find a way to deal with it in a manner in which everyone can make suggestions so we can come together and truly vote on this in a reasonable fashion.
We will not have any more discussion, because I need Madam Demers' position on this before we go any further. We will have to end in a minute.
Madam McLeod.
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
Cathy McLeod Conservative Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo, BC
If we could have the report tomorrow, we would welcome discussing it on Thursday.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
5:25 p.m.
Bloc
Nicole Demers Bloc Laval, QC
In a spirit of cooperation, Madam Chair, and a desire for this file to be considered, I am prepared to wait until Thursday.
Thank you very much.
And thank you very much.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you very much, Madam Demers. You have once again shown us what cooperation and collaboration can do.
The meeting is adjourned.
