Madam Speaker, I find my colleague's comments very unacceptable and undemocratic, but he is entitled to his opinion.
Gender equity is a laudable and necessary objective and one which we support wholeheartedly. In working toward this goal, however, we must select the most effective way of achieving it and it will happen. As all members know, the government will, in short order, be working with the other parties of the House in the form of a special all-party committee, which will be mandated to examine a variety of reforms to our electoral system, including other electoral systems, such as preferential ballots or proportional representation. My colleague's concerns will be addressed when we do this.
In other words, Canada's electoral system for the next election is still unknown. I believe that under these circumstances, it is premature to impose a legislated quota.