Mr. Speaker, today in Edmonton, federal, provincial and territorial ministers for the status of women begin meeting.
This is a perfect opportunity for the federal government to show leadership and coordinate a national response to the United Nations condemnation of Canada's failure to comply with the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
It is also an opportunity for the ministers to receive input from the critical stakeholder and expert women's group involved in the CEDAW process.
The Feminist Alliance for International Action coordinated the alternative report on Canada's failure to act and is prepared to contribute to a multi-jurisdictional response to UN concerns.
It was ready to brief status of women ministers this week but the offer was rejected. Why? Why did our status of women minister spurn the generosity of Canadian women willing to help the government out a most embarrassing situation?
It is not too late. I ask the government to call the member for Etobicoke--Lakeshore and tell her to listen to Canadian women and help restore Canada's commitment to women's equality.