Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs. Priscilla de Villiers, the president of CAVEAT, who is receiving an honorary doctorate of law from McMaster University today.
This honour is well deserved in recognition of Mrs. de Villiers' valuable and tireless work on behalf of the victims of crime. She has served as director of the Canadian Resource Centre for victims of crime and is a member of the National Crime Prevention Council.
Mrs. de Villiers organized a petition that gathered over two million signatures of Canadians requesting changes to the legal system that would address the issue of violence in society. The success of the petition led to the founding of CAVEAT, Canadians Against Violence Everywhere Advocating its Termination.
Mrs. de Villiers and CAVEAT have done a great deal of valuable work that has resulted in many changes to the justice system to increase the protection for victims.
I am sure all members of the House will join me in extending congratulations to Priscilla de Villiers.