Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, we celebrated the 96th anniversary of the Persons Case, when the Famous Five fought to have women recognized as persons in Canada. Their courage reshaped democracy in this country.
Across Canada, women are transforming government, business and public life. We are delivering on the national $10-a-day child care program, a national action plan to end gender-based violence, a permanent national school food program and, soon, free contraception for more choice and control. All of these initiatives have a profoundly positive impact on all Canadians, but especially on our mothers, sisters and daughters.
However, progress is not equality. In 2023, women's workforce participation lagged 6.6 points behind men's, a gap that if closed could add $150 billion to our economy. Gender-based violence still costs Canadians $7.4 billion every year.
Nearly a century later, the fight for equality is far from over. It is our turn to finish what the Famous Five so bravely began.