Mr. Speaker, I wish I could believe those words, but I do not think this is about choosing at all. It is an example of the government's agenda to silence women in this country.
We have been witnessing this silencing since 2006, with cuts to Status of Women Canada's budget; the changes to Status of Women Canada's program funding mandate; the closure of 12 regional Status of Women Canada offices; the abandonment of the court challenges program; and most recently, the termination of the mandatory long form of the census.
Through the government's policies and actions, we are witnessing the systematic attempt to kill the women's movement and feminism in this country. It is an attempt to stifle some very important voices, especially those who speak for the poor and marginalized women in this country. This is the effect of what is happening. The government may insist that this is not the intention, but it is certainly the effect.
