Mr. Speaker, Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung: today we honour the Famous Five and their landmark achievement in the Persons Case Day.
I rise to join the Government of Canada in recognizing the remarkable contribution these Canadian women have made. In 1929 they won the right for women to be recognized as persons. Overcoming countless obstacles, their extraordinary achievement benefited all Canadians who came after them. Women throughout our history have made, and continue to make, exceptional contributions to Canada.
Nellie McClung once said, “Women who set a low value on themselves make life hard for all women”.
Like the Famous Five, I believe that valuing oneself goes hand in hand with valuing others.
Another of the Famous Five, Louise McKinney, said it best when she said:
The purpose of a woman's life is just the same as the purpose of man's life—that she may make the best possible contribution to the generation in which she is living.
On behalf of the new Government of Canada, I invite all Canadians to celebrate this landmark achievement.