Thank you, Chair.
Like others, I can’t fail to mention that yesterday was December 6, the date on which, every year, we mark the horrific femicide that occurred in 1989, during which 14 women were killed simply because they were women. I said plenty on the subject yesterday, but I’ll come back to it later when I ask my questions. I feel I must emphasize this fact, as it is a significant event. We also have a duty to remember. We simply cannot forget these women, even 34 years after the tragedy.
At the time, I was seven years old—I’m revealing my age by saying that. The images of this tragedy are among the first that affected me, as a girl. In fact, I remember it very clearly. Today, I have a 21-month-old daughter. Being a mother has altered the way I view this tragedy. I think a lot about my daughter when I speak. For the past two years, my little girl has been on my mind every time I speak. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I see the horrible rise of misogyny. I also see that we haven’t made much progress after all. We have gained some ground, but when it comes to violence against women, we’re haven’t moved forward. The number of femicides is on the rise, which is extremely worrying. But I’ll come back to this later, when I ask my questions.
One other thing worries me.
Yesterday, I said it was time for action. To that end, we’re aiming to create more representative, more diverse Parliaments. I even visited Rwanda last year: we were exploring ways of attracting more women to the various Parliaments. Indeed, we realize that we need them. We women make up 50% of the population, but here we barely make up 30% of MPs.
Given what’s going on right now, I don’t see how we’ll be able to attract more women into politics. I’m thinking of all my colleagues who will likely spend at least the next 36 hours voting. We’ll be taking turns. We’re suffering from incredible “proceduritis.” How can we send out the message that we want to see more women in politics when some people are so partisan, choosing to make us spend long hours or all night debating and voting? I don’t understand why people don’t realize that, in 2023, we need to approach politics differently. We won’t attract more women by engaging in politics this way.
I’m sorry, but, as a mother, I felt compelled to say so. This is hardly edifying for democracy. I have as many family obligations as I do in my riding, where, for example, I have to go out on weekends and help people with food drives. I should be spending time in my riding, but I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few hours. I’m not the only MP who feels this way.
That said, I will now turn to the minister.
In Supplementary Estimates (B) 2023–2024, $6.3 million, part of the $160 million budgeted, is earmarked for women’s organizations and equity-seeking groups. These funds will be disbursed in the form of grants and contributions under the Women’s Program.
I remind you that this program’s purpose is to achieve women’s full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada through systemic change.
Beyond the way things are done here in Parliament, how could this funding help women’s equity groups? There’s so much left to do, one wonders if it will be enough and what changes it might bring.