Mr. Speaker, I stand here in the House today proudly alongside many female colleagues; women who are fully recognized under Canadian law as being equal to men, having the ability to run for any political office in this country.
It is with great pride, as an Albertan as well, that we commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Persons Case.
Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Edwards and Emily Murphy are all fellow Albertans who changed the course of Canadian history for women.
Most recently, our Prime Minister hosted the Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm's Reach Summit that commits $3.5 billion to our government's priority of improving maternal and newborn health worldwide.
Our strong Conservative majority has more female members in cabinet than any other in history.
I join with the great Emily Murphy in saying, “We want women leaders today as never before. Leaders who are not afraid to be called names and who are willing to go out and fight. I think women can save civilization. Women are persons”.