Status of Women Committee on March 23rd, 2017

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

As you're aware, your mandate letter said that you're supposed to implement a policy or strategy with regard to violence against women. Further to this, we put a report forward with regard to that. This is an issue that I am very passionate about.

One of the things that is rarely discussed is a report that came out in 2012 from the Canadian Medical Association. In this report, they talk about gender-selective abortion. They say that here in Canada there are upwards of 2,000 abortions committed every year in order to essentially get rid of girls. Now, I would say that this is actually gender-based violence targeted at little girls, preborn girls. I'm wondering if you agree with this statement.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Your statement being what?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Is this violence and does it fit within your mandate?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

I believe that violence comes in a spectrum.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

It's actually a really simple question: yes or no.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

It can be physical, it can be psychological, it can be emotional, and it can be cyber.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

In this case, do you believe that this is discriminating against girls?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

I think what you would like to speak to me about is abortions, and I believe that women have a fundamental right—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I'm asking specifically about gender-controlled abortions—

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

—to be able to control their reproductive health.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

—which were identified in this report.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

Sorry, I didn't hear anything you said, because I was answering your question.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

You weren't answering my question; you were avoiding it.

Do you believe that sex-selective abortions, as identified by the Canadian Medical Association in 2012, are gender-based violence, yes or no?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

I believe that any sort of gender-based violence is wrong. I understand that women and girls—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Is this gender-based violence?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

—in Canada are vulnerable to all sorts of forms of violence—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Okay. Thank you, Minister.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

—and preventing that violence is a shared responsibility for us all. I also believe in the importance of—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

—giving women choices.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

You're welcome.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

My next question has to do with another statement within your mandate letter. It says that one of the things the minister, you, are called to fight for is gender equality. Within that, it explicitly states that you're actually mandated to include involvement “in gender equality”, and that's a direct quote.

Now, you put an interesting post up with regard to sharia law and a wedding. You said, “Isn't it interesting that there are no women here”? Then you said, “Sharia law fascinates me”, with a smiley face. These posts would appear to make light of the fact that sharia law is incredibly violent against women and discriminates against them. The fact that you're pointing out that there are no women in this room tells me that you are noting this but making light of it. How is this advocating for involving men in this problem of achieving gender-based equality?

[Maryam Monsef, Liberal, Peterborough—Kawartha, ON]

First, thank you for allowing me an opportunity to acknowledge my parliamentary secretary, Terry Duguid, who demonstrates all the ways that we can enhance the work of gender equality when we include men and boys. Having a feminist Prime Minister who is leading the first gender statement in the budget is a really good reminder of why we need to include men and boys. As far as the tweet from....

[Pam Damoff, Liberal, Oakville North—Burlington, ON]

Madam Chair, can I just get a point of order? I'm not sure what this question has to do with Status of Women or what we have the minister here for today.