Status of Women Committee on May 10th, 2010

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

We have 20 seconds and lots of people who would like to respond.

Mr. La Ramée.

[Pierre La Ramée]

I think all of the issues you mentioned are critically important. But when you're talking about maternal mortality, the continuum of care is very well understood. There's a global consensus on it. What ultimately will save women's lives is providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

Thank you.

Now we're on to Madame Demers.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much for being here this afternoon. My first question is for Mr. La Ramée and it is will be quick.

You are waiting for funding. Have you received it?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Ah, no.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Thank you.

I understand what you mean, Ms. Lynch. It is very political right now.

Is it not a little ironic that, in order to support an initiative that will save 300,000 women in the long run, we must let 70,000 die because we do not want to talk about abortion and we do not want to include that procedure in the initiative? Does that not seem a little unhealthy?

Personally, I only see the number of women dying, regardless of how they die. I also see the children who are left behind and die as a result. Could you give me an answer?

[Lorraine Fontaine]

Yes, we agree. I think it is a one-word answer, as Ms. Simpson asked us earlier.

[Pierre La Ramée]

I'd like to respond a little bit, though, to your first question.

Our understanding is that the application for funding is still being reviewed. It is still pending. We have not yet received a response, either affirmative or negative.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Since when have you been receiving funding?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Since around 1960, I think.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Since 1960? Has the work of your organization always been recognized?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Yes, it certainly has. It is the largest international and non-governmental organization in the world in the field of reproductive and sexual health.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

And did CIDA provide you with the funding?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Yes, it has always been CIDA.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Are there any reasons for the current delay?

[Pierre La Ramée]

It may be because of the process adopted by CIDA.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

But CIDA gave quite considerable amounts of money to two religious organizations in western Canada. Does it not concern you that you have received no news?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Well, let me answer in English, and it will go a little bit more quickly.

In our previous review, there was in fact a delay, so we are trying to be optimistic and we are hoping that the delay is basically because of bureaucratic procedures, as occurred in the past. But the funding has always been renewed. And in fact it was renewed basically by this same government, at least prior to the last election.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Would you please keep the committee up to date?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Sorry?

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Would you please keep the committee up to date on the situation of your organization?

[Pierre La Ramée]

Yes, of course.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Thank you very much.

Madam Chair?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

You still have two minutes.

[Nicole Demers, Bloc, Laval, QC]

Very good. Thank you very much.

Ms. Fontaine, you mentioned that Canada slipped in rank from sixth to twenty-first regarding infant mortality. You started talking about it earlier.

Could you tell me why infant mortality has increased so much in Canada?