Thirty-third. Whatever; Canada at that level is a dramatic drop.
You do not have to convince me; I am already convinced. My colleague and I are working hard to criticize the program, which is an obstacle preventing women from achieving equality. I did the rounds introducing a bill that was rejected because they said it needed royal recommendation. I find that response discriminatory too because the bill reflected a reality, an even greater inequality between men and women in terms of accessibility to Employment Insurance. Once more, for financial reasons, there is a refusal to improve the situation and the lot of women. In a society like ours, I find that an outrage. We are going to reapply and introduce a similar bill again.
I have just come back from a parliamentary visit to Algeria and Tunisia. I was very impressed, especially in Tunisia, to see the advances that women have made in only a few years. The governments recognize gender equality and have written it into their constitutions. Perhaps the reality is somewhat different, but the fact of recognizing the principle in itself is a greater beginning than we have here.
People talk a lot about how reprehensible this program is because women are at a disadvantage compared to men. One question about pay equity concerns me greatly and I really want to ask you about it. Statistics prove that, in general, women in Canada are already at a disadvantage and earn less. They want this principle left to collective bargaining. I would very much like to know your position.