I want to talk a little bit about political rhetoric because a few years ago, when we had passed Bill C-16, I became the target of a Campaign Life Coalition phone thing about abortion and also trans rights. It was because we didn't want Rachael Harder chairing the status of women committee when she voted against Bill C-16 and did not support a woman's right to choose. I actually answered the phone at one point and when I asked the woman...she said to me that trans people don't actually exist. She was a lovely older lady, to be honest with you, but she had been fed all this information and truly believed what she was saying to me.
In February, the Leader of the Opposition said there's no space in women's bathrooms, change rooms, shelters, sports and more for trans women and trans girls.
At the last meeting, I mentioned that there was a nine-year-old girl in British Columbia with a pixie cut. A parent demanded that she provide a birth certificate to prove that she was actually a girl. This actually transcends far beyond just kids who are questioning their identity; it's making people question all kids who might look different.
I'll start with you, Ms. Johnstone.
How does the political rhetoric out there impact the way that Canadians think about issues?