Mr. Speaker, this year we are celebrating an important stage in the life of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, namely 25 years of women in the force.
On September 16, 1974, at exactly the same moment across the country, 32 women aged between 19 and 29, from all provinces except Prince Edward Island, were hired as regular members of the RCMP. Today, some 14% of the force are women. That amounts to some 2,000 women.
The appointment of women police officers not only radically changed the RCMP and other police forces, it also helped radically change the role of women in the workplace and to change public perception of this role and of the police.
Many activities have been organized in celebration of this event, but much remains to be done. The change is essential if we want Canada to continue to set an example with community police and police close—