Mr. Speaker, I recall neither having been embarrassed nor flustered at the question yesterday. I felt I answered it in a direct and straightforward way.
What I emphasized in the response yesterday and what I wish to make clear today is that it is the advice of my own department and it is my own view that the present provisions of the Criminal Code are quite sufficient to render criminal any assault which involves the mutilation of female genitals.
I made it clear yesterday that there is no cultural pretence which can excuse that misconduct in this country. I also made it clear yesterday that we will not tolerate it and that we wish to make clear to anyone who comes to this country that it will not be tolerated.
In order to demonstrate my open mind on the question and in deference to the questioner of yesterday, what I said was that I am prepared to consider whether an additional and specific provision should be added to the code by amendment to identify this specific form of assault and to outlaw it.
I gave the hon. member my assurance that I would spend a month considering the question and would be happy to let her know at the end of that period.