Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you all for being here today. We're very pleased to have you.
Ms. Johnstone, this is not the first time we've seen each other.
I want to start by setting the record straight. I think it's important to do so.
Ms. Johnstone, I thought you were being a bit unfair when you targeted the Conservatives. I think we're off to a bad start. The Conservatives as you describe them are not what I see in the party to which I belong. Since you mentioned Mr. Poilievre—you named him—I invite you, in all friendship, to read what has been written about Mr. Poilievre and the statements he has made. I am thinking in particular of his statement that women have the freedom to control their own bodies and to have an abortion, if that is what they want. Mr. Poilievre has clearly positioned himself as pro-choice.
I would also like to inform you, if you don't already know, that our political party includes people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. One of them holds a very senior position, that of deputy leader. She was appointed by Mr. Poilievre. Let's be careful. Let's not conflate things that may make the Conservative Party look bad. Our party actually voted against conversion therapy. I wanted to let you know.
I will conclude by saying that Mr. Poilievre was clear on the fact that he would never open the abortion debate or introduce a bill on that issue.
I'll get back to the conversation we need to have today. This is a complicated study. We're talking about violence against various groups in society.
We, the Conservatives, are against violence of any kind. Our mantra is well known to everyone, and everyone has understood it well. It's about making the victim our primary concern, as violence has increased across the country. Violent crime is up 116% over the past nine years.
I wonder if it might also be a question of culture. I am a former member of the Quebec National Assembly. A friend of mine, my former press secretary, is openly gay. He is openly gay. He came from France, and he left that country at 18 because he wasn't able to live as a homosexual. He came to Canada, and he's flourishing today. When he went to a Maghreb country, he wasn't even able to share a room with his spouse. In the morning, they had to separate so that nothing would be obvious.
Homosexuality is not a problem. In any case, it doesn't bother me. There are gays in my family, among my friends and in our community. Wouldn't it be a cultural issue to reach out and welcome those who are different?
Ms. Johnstone, you said you went to meet with people on the ground to better understand this reality and to reach out. I am not sure it is a good idea to exclude parents or to target them just because they want to have information about what is going on at school. I'm a mom, and I'm old enough to be a grandmother. I would like to have that information about my child at school. Does that make me someone who is against trans people? No, it does not. I sincerely believe that there are people who are not born in the right body. I'm sure of it.
I'm here to make a comment and express how I feel. That's what I have done this morning. I think our guests appreciate that.
It's a matter of understanding the problem and seeing how we can address it. Parents need reassurance about all this. At the end of the day, you can't exclude parents from these situations. Violence against trans people, to me, is unacceptable. I would very much like you to be able to show leadership and meet with people in our schools and community centres. I also hope that we can continue to inform people about diversity, as Mr. Jensen so aptly said in his opening remarks.
Thank you, Madam Chair.