It's a very difficult question, Madam Chair, but I'll attempt to give an answer.
I think it's not just on the integration of women that Canada is perceived to be ahead of the issue. I think in a number of areas of social change, such as the acceptance of homosexuals into the military and other social policy issues, the Canadian military has usually been close to the front of the pack on these issues.
While I would certainly like to say this was due to the initiative of the leadership that would be to misrepresent the issue, I think the major factor in the Canadian Forces achieving this kind of leadership role has been the influence of the law on social change. In that respect, I think the work that Parliament does in terms of establishing laws for fair employment practices is critical. I think the leadership then does its duty and complies with what the country and the law expects them to do. In that respect, I think the charter, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Employment Equity Act, have been key drivers of social changes in the Canadian military.