Mr. Speaker, I am indeed shocked that someone of the member's stature, being a lawyer herself, does not recognize the fact that we need to start somewhere. By starting somewhere, we need to have the legislative framework to do so.
My short answer is, without the bill, women and children have no rights on their reserve. There is nowhere to start in terms of any of these programs and services.
The hon. member knows that consultation has occurred extensively across this country.