Mr. Speaker, on this International Women's Day, I wish to extend my best wishes to all immigrant and refugee women.
As an immigrant myself, I am thinking in particular of the thousands of women who have been victims of rape or violence or who experienced hardship in their countries of origin before seeking asylum in Canada.
I wish to emphasize the outstanding contribution to our society made by immigrant women, who face a triple challenge as immigrants, mothers and workers.
I urge the government to show compassion for persecuted women seeking asylum in Canada. Eighty per cent of the 23 million refugees around the world are women and children.
Immigrant and refugee women, the Bloc Quebecois salutes you and supports your efforts to have your rights recognized.