Thank you very much, and my apologies to the witness. This will take just two or three minutes, and possibly we could add whatever amount of time this takes onto your time at the end since we have an open hour for the second hour.
I'd like to raise a point of order relating to the motion that I presented to committee at our last meeting. There was considerable confusion when the parliamentary secretary moved to adjourn the debate, and I felt that some clarity on my part would be in order.
I apologize to our witnesses, but this is an issue that I believe is of fundamental importance, that is jeopardizing the impartiality and the thoroughness of this study, and by extension, our responsibilities and constitutional duties as MPs. As a member of the committee and as my party's lead critic for the status of women, my motion would simply invite RCMP Staff Sergeant Caroline O'Farrell to testify before the committee as part of our study on sexual harassment in the federal jurisdiction.
As background for those who may not know, Staff Sergeant Caroline O'Farrell was one of the first women to become part of the musical ride. Unfortunately, on at least 100 occasions following her joining the musical ride, Staff Sergeant O'Farrell was subjected to harassment, assault, and workplace bullying. Many of these attacks were witnessed and even documented and recorded by fellow officers and those within the command structure of the RCMP.
Some of this is noted in the document that I provided to the clerk for circulation today and at our last meeting. The commissioner of the RCMP said that this case unfortunately was old news, and I find that very disappointing and even shocking to think that Canada's top cop would say that about a case involving so many violations. It speaks to the state, unfortunately, of this once great icon of Canadian culture and values.