Mr. Speaker, I would first like to point out that opinions on this controversial issue are divided. In fact, according to an article in today's Le Devoir , Quebec's council on the status of women does not necessarily agree with the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women on this issue.
The Quebec council believes that amending the Criminal Code could inadvertently drive the practice even further underground and the federal government agrees. We are more in favour of trying to heighten awareness in communities with a
tradition of performing female circumcisions and genital mutilation.