Mr. Speaker, in the days and months ahead, many important issues will be brought before this House. Canadians are concerned about the falling price of oil and what that means for our economy. They are troubled by climate change and the environment, falling income and rising debt. They are worried about health care and their pension, the loss of manufacturing jobs and that there is no federal minimum wage.
At the same time, let us not forget that we must include women in all our policies. As the official opposition status of women critic for the NDP, I am committed to working hard for equality for all Canadian women. We must end poverty among women. We need a plan for affordable, universal child care and we need a national action plan to end violence against women.
The NDP knows that when women are overlooked, all of Canada—its people and its economy—suffers. Canadians can count on the NDP to stand up for women, now and when—