Mr. Speaker, Canada has the second highest participation of women of countries within NATO at 10.8%.
In this decade we have improved from a 1% participation of women in combat arms to a 3.1% participation. We are breaking down the barriers so that women can have the opportunity to serve according to their abilities in whatever part of the Canadian forces they want to serve.
Progress has been slow, but I am pleased to say that it is now accelerating. We have had more women come into our recruiting centres in the past year than ever before. With the appointment of our advisory committee on employment equity and gender integration we are moving the agenda forward faster.