Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, human trafficking is a serious subject.
As my colleague has mentioned, we will be dealing with it at the next meeting of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
It is essential that human trafficking should be dealt with in relation to prostitution. That is also a very important subject that we should be examining.
I would simply like to return to the question. Unfortunately, we are discussing cuts. In committee, surely we will look closely at human trafficking, but there are other groups that can contribute to this issue. Many women’s groups are working to combat human trafficking, trafficking in women and children. It is estimated—although I am not certain of this figure—that more than 90% of human trafficking involves women and young girls. These are often women forced into prostitution. That is serious.
If we cut funding intended for people who are fighting against human trafficking, against social injustice and for the rights of women, we cannot make any progress.
We will do great things in committee. I am sure because many members of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women are extraordinary women. There are also men there who do excellent work.
However, our role as members of the committee is to support all the women’s groups that provide input to us because we are not in the front lines. These women are in the real world and they know the subject well. We must not let them wither and die because they are underfunded or because Status of Women Canada cannot do its work because it is short-staffed due to budget cuts estimated at $2.5 million per year.