Madam Speaker, Women's History Month serves as a reminder that equality in Canada is not a given, but rather the result of a struggle embedded in the very core of our institutions.
Over a century ago, the Famous Five—Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Henrietta Muir Edwards and Louise McKinney—established a fundamental principle of our democracy, recognizing women as persons with rights, and therefore eligible to sit in the Senate. This decision laid the groundwork for women's participation in parliamentary life, with full civic and constitutional recognition.
This legacy continues thanks to five women who were recently honoured here in Ottawa, whose commitment reflects the same vision of justice, leadership and social transformation.
By celebrating them, we are affirming that women's history is not just a thing of the past, but rather it is still being written today in this Parliament, with 40% of the elected members on our side being women.