Mr. Speaker, for decades, aboriginal women on reserves have been without the legal protections they need in situations of family violence. Women have been victimized and children and families have been deeply affected.
For 13 years, the Liberals did nothing. Aboriginal women, international organizations and even the Manitoba NDP have called for this change. We have responded with matrimonial property rights legislation to protect aboriginal women and give them the same rights as all other women in Canada. This bill would allow judges to enforce emergency protection orders for the safety of the women and children, yet shockingly, last night, the Liberals and the NDP voted against giving aboriginal women and children these protections.
This is shameful. Whether it is on reserve or anywhere in Canada, I am proud to say that our Conservative government continues to stand up for the protection of women, children and families.