I'll be quick, because I already congratulated you, Shelby, and I already said that I'm sad that Karen is gone. But I've reflected a little bit.
I think the only thing I want on the record is that this place, Parliament Hill, is a very difficult place for women to be, because it is a male-dominated area, and I don't appreciate when women are just tossed aside and replaced because of a difference of opinion or because they stood up for something they believed in or because they were doing their job. I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure that's what happened in this case. It's sad to see it happen to a fellow woman parliamentarian who has given her all for this place and for the benefit of all the women we've fought so hard for on this committee.
I just wanted to say that. I've been here on Parliament Hill for seven years, and it has been a struggle. I am sure all parties deal with this, and all women in all parties deal with this, but it's hard to see it happen to somebody who was so collaborative and who really helped move the dial forward for women across the country. That's all.
Karen, you will be greatly missed. I am really sad this has happened.
Shelby, I really hope we can continue the great work we've been doing on this committee, but we should be standing up for each other when these things happen. If it happens to one woman, it can happen to all women. When we move backwards in circumstances such as these, well, it's a really dangerous step in the wrong direction. It could be slippery and it could lead to more and more women getting treated this way.
I just wanted that on the record. I think we should be standing up for each other, no matter who it happens to or when it happens. Unfortunately, it happens to women more often than it happens to men, even though we're a minority in this place.