He is the one who calls the RCMP all the time, not me.
How much clearer can we be? When we ensure that all deserving people have more chance, more opportunity to apply for a job, get training, get a promotion, does that not mean a better achievement of the merit principle?
When we ask companies to examine their own assumptions about the tangible and intangible qualities it takes to do a job, when we examine what it is we want from our workers, how we can improve their skills, how we can ensure that there are not false barriers based upon old habits and old wisdoms impeding the development of that human resource in the workplace, does that not also improve the achievement of merit?
The employment equity bill is about making merit work. It is real and demonstrable in a practical way in the workplace. It is about opening doors that have been closed for far too long and for far too many people. That is why I believe Canadians support this legislation. They know that our society will work better if everybody has a chance to work.
I would like to quote from a letter I received from a young woman who works in the construction industry. She has been having trouble keeping her job because only 2.4 per cent of construction workers are women. I should say by way of informa-
tion that we have established a special program in my department called Women in Trades and Technology, where we have put together a council of employers across Canada to specifically promote internships and apprenticeships for women in the trades and technology areas, where only two per cent or three per cent are represented.
This woman did not write to complain or to ask for special privileges. There was no special pleading. She simply wrote to urge me and members of this House to put an end to discrimination in her industry and other industries. She ended her letter by calling on all members of Parliament to pass Bill C-64. She said "When you review Bill C-64, think of my five-year-old niece, who wants to grow up to be a builder, just like me".
I invite all members of this House, on both sides of the House, to join in the spirit this young woman represented. She has asked us to be builders, to build something better, something more open, something fairer, so that all Canadians, men and women, those with certain disabilities, those with certain colours of skin, those with certain handicaps that they have faced over time, can all contribute to the building of this country. That is what we are all about.
I believe this legislation, Bill C-64, gives us a tool to be a good builder, all of us. I hope all members will support this bill.