Marci Ien

[National Defence, November 8th, 2024]

Madam Speaker, Canadian women and 2SLGBTQI+ veterans have faced painful hurdles while serving. This includes the LGBT purge and sexual misconduct within the culture of the armed forces.

Canadian military personnel and veterans deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. That is why our government introduced military culture change legislation and a 2SLGBTQI+ national monument that acknowledges the discrimination.

We thank the heroes for their service and never forget what they have sacrificed to keep our country safe.

[Women and Gender Equality, October 29th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, people have the right to make informed decisions about their own bodies. Across the country, we are seeing anti-choice pregnancy crisis centres undermine a woman's right to choose. Today, I tabled a motion to require more transparency from charities providing pregnancy counsel. If they do not, they stand the chance of losing their charitable status.

Women have shared stories with me about how they have felt when they have walked into these centres, how they have felt shame, how they have felt guilt, and how it has been at the most difficult time in their lives. This legislation would ensure that no woman will endure judgment or pressure from groups that restrict her freedom.

[Health, October 29th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, our message is clear. The right to an abortion and access to abortion go hand in hand, yet there are a growing number of anti-choice pregnancy crisis centres that use deceptive tactics to deter women from making informed decisions and to make choices about their reproductive health.

That is why today I introduced a motion to require more transparency from these centres providing pregnancy counselling. Organizations that do not clearly or prominently provide this information to clients risk losing their charitable status. This is about holding them accountable. This is about supports on which women can rely.

[Ways and Means, October 29th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to ensuring that every woman has the right to make informed decisions about her body. Therefore, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I would like to table, in both official languages, a notice of ways and means motion that contains our plan to require more transparency from charities that use deceptive tactics to push women away from making their own reproductive decisions.

Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I would ask that an order of the day be designated for the consideration of this ways and means motion.

[Health, October 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her advocacy, but the right to an abortion and access to it go hand in hand. Through the $45-million sexual and reproductive health fund, we are addressing that. We are making sure that Canadians facing obstacles in accessing reproductive health care are supported financially and that organizations providing those essential services have capacity funding.

While Conservative MPs try to limit a woman's right to choose, we will continue to work hard at opening every possible door to increase access.

[Liberal Party of Canada, October 24th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share some facts. I stand here as the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth and I wonder if this ministry will even exist if the Conservatives were to gain power.

Here are the facts. The Conservatives will cut services to survivors of gender-based violence. They will cut critical supports for women entrepreneurs. They will cut life-saving support for grassroots organizations. They will cut pharmacare and contraceptives for women.

We on this side of the House stand for women and gender-diverse people. They do not. Those are straight facts.

[Health, October 22nd, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, access to contraception should not be a luxury but a fundamental right. The Pharmacare Act provides women and gender-diverse people with the freedom to make their own choices about their bodies and not worry about the cost, but Conservatives do not want Canadians to have free access to contraceptives or reproductive freedom. How do we know this? We know it because the members opposite continue to introduce anti-choice petitions and bills.

Let us make no mistake; Conservatives will cut free contraceptives. On this side of the House, we will always stand for choice.

[Women and Gender Equality, June 17th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago, Roe v. Wade was overturned in the U.S., and so many thought that was an impossibility. However, it taught us that vigilance everywhere is imperative.

This past weekend, I met Liz, a self-described old feminist in Thunder Bay. Liz wanted me to remind Canadians that the right to an abortion is a human right and always worth fighting for. That is exactly what we will continue to do on this side of the House. That side of the House cannot say the same.

[Diversity and Inclusion, June 5th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for her advocacy.

As we raised the Pride flag a couple of days ago, I announced $1.5 million to offset security costs for Pride festivals right across the country. It is not the kind of announcement I ever want to make, but the queer community feels directly what security agencies tell us: Hate is on the rise.

The community asked for help, and we responded. At a time when we are seeing less support for queer communities, our government will never waver. On this side of the House, we support Canadians, no matter who they are, for being their authentic selves.

[Women and Gender Equality, May 21st, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, strengthening sexual and reproductive health care is essential to ensure women can make their own decisions when it comes to their health. It is why we are making contraceptives free to nine million women across Canada. It is why the menstrual equity fund was created, which has lifted nearly three million people out of period poverty. It is why we invested $45 million into the sexual and reproductive health fund to organizations providing essential services. Investments like these are a true step forward to lasting gender equality.