Mr. Speaker, today marks the 98th birthday of Gladys Strum, CCF member of Parliament from 1945 to 1949. Gladys was only the fourth woman elected to this place and the very first woman to head a provincial political party.
A strong advocate of women's equality, Gladys must be aghast at this government's failure to act on women's issues.
Just look at the throne speech. Women were practically invisible. Then there is the cabinet. To set himself apart, the new Prime Minister has added one--that is right, one--more woman to cabinet. And in his array of parliamentary secretaries? We are at 15%.
Not only did he leave experienced women out of cabinet, he is trying to drive them right out of politics.
Instead of patronizing platitudes, why does this government not act? It can start by establishing a parliamentary status of women committee, a standing committee in this place. Then at least Canadians would have a permanent place to pursue women's equality and we would have a forum to address Canada's failure to live up to UN obligations.
Give equality a chance, Mr. Speaker, and happy birthday to Gladys Strum.