Mr. Speaker, I am sure that, like me, my colleague has had many people and groups in her riding approach her with concerns about how this attestation is being administered. I have had dozens of community groups in my riding approach me personally, either by email, in person, by phone, or by letter. They are very concerned about these issues. I also conducted a round table, where I had 13 participants who came and expressed some deep concerns.
Earlier in my remarks, I commented about a group in my riding that did not want me to use its name or divulge anything about it, because its members were afraid that because they were objecting to the attestation, they might be punished in future applications for other government programs. People are afraid to sign the letter, because they feel that the federal government will continue to limit freedom of belief and move these requirements into other federal programs. My colleague from Milton outlined that danger very well.
One of the member's colleagues, the member for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, has come out very clearly in opposition to this attestation. He said that the attestation is “totally flopped” and that the test itself shows “a lack of respect”. We hear a lot about respect when it comes to this attestation. Does my colleague agree with her colleague from Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame?