Thank you Madam Chair.
First of all, I would like to thank the minister for her first appearance before the committee. I am also new to this committee. I would also like to thank those who are accompanying the minister here today.
In order to be efficient and precise, Minister, I would ask you to answer briefly and concisely please, so that I may ask other questions.
You recently stated to the media that even in cases of rape as an act of war and forced child marriage, Canada will not give foreign aid to the organizations that perform or refer women to abortion services.
Abortion is legal in Canada, so I would like to ask you why the government has made this singular exemption around abortion services.