Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo the statements of my hon. colleague who just spoke. Linda MacDonald and Jeanne Sarson have been tireless advocates on this issue.
I would also like to thank in addition to Jeanne and Linda, the Native Women's Association of Canada, Amnesty International for supporting the bill in principle, the Canadian Nurses Association of Canada, and the Canadian Federation of University Women. All have voiced either complete support, or support in principle in the case of Amnesty International, for this legislation.
It is better to put forward a bill to committee that is flawed. I am even opened to definitional issues, difficult as it is for me to accept because these are acts of torture. Better to pass imperfect legislation than to leave an unjust status quo in place. That is the message I would like to deliver to my colleagues.