Mr. Speaker, yesterday, during the debate on poverty, the member from Abitibi said, and I quote:
I can say that, if women still stayed at home to look after their children, there would be less poverty.
I find this remark absolutely shocking and to top it all it is not true. In modern society fathers also take care of children.
I am dismayed that in 1998 it is still possible to use this sort of language to describe society. The member for Abitibi should be ashamed of reducing the problem of poverty to such simplistic terms. They are unworthy of a member of this House.
Certainly recognition of the unpaid work performed by women is vital, but this should not prevent women who choose to work outside the home to do so, regardless of what the hon. member thinks.
I hope this hon. member will change his paternalistic tune and join modern society.