Mr. Speaker, tens of thousands of aboriginal women in this country are at a disadvantage when going through a divorce because they do not have the rights to real matrimonial property. Our government is correcting this situation with Bill S-2, which will not only give matrimonial property rights to women living on reserve but will also allow judges to enforce emergency protection orders in situations of family violence.
Shockingly, the opposition is not supporting this basic right for aboriginal women. They are putting political posturing ahead of these rights, rights that every other Canadian woman enjoys. This is shameful.
Our Conservative government will continue to stand up for the rights of aboriginal women. On this side of the House we do not just talk about supporting women: we take real action to make a real difference in the lives of women and to empower them during the most difficult situations, those of divorce or separation.
I call on all of the opposition to stop only talking about helping women and to actually do something by supporting Bill S-2.