Maryam Monsef

[Status of Women, September 20th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to colleagues like the member for Saint-Laurent, our government's plan to grow the middle class and support those working hard to join it is working. That plan includes supporting and funding hundreds of organizations across the country to enhance the financial and physical security of all women, including indigenous women.

Indigenous women are strong and resilient. When we invest, we improve life for families and communities.

We are working hard to close the gender wage gap so that we can unlock $150 billion in our economy, grow the GDP by 4% and support a strong middle class.

[Veterans Affairs, September 20th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I believe the Minister of Veterans Affairs has answered the questions specific to the case that my colleagues have brought up.

As far as violence against women goes, after 150 years of Confederation, we introduced the first strategy to address and prevent gender-based violence. Close to $200 million has been invested. We are working to support survivors and their families, prevent this from happening and ensure that our justice and legal systems are more responsive.

It is wonderful to see that colleagues from the opposite side are on board with our plan.

[Carbon Pricing, June 14th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, through the Canada child benefit plan, nine out of 10 Canadian families are better off under our plan than they were under the Conservatives plan. If my hon. colleagues are truly concerned about the well-being of those working hard to join the middle class, why do they take the opportunity at every step of the way to vote against plans and programs we introduce?

We have a housing strategy for 10 years, $40 billion, at least 25% of which will support women and their families with low incomes. My hon. colleague can jump on board and support our plan to grow the middle class.

[Carbon Pricing, June 14th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, we are thrilled to see the Conservatives take an interest in gender equality. This is what real change looks like.

I would like to remind the hon. member that we gave more funds to families who need the support the most, with the Canada child benefit. They voted against it.

I would like to remind her that we lowered taxes for the middle class and raised them on the 1%. They voted against it.

We are introducing pay equity legislation. They have worked every step of the way to stop that process.

We are supporting women and families with child benefit and child care opportunities. They voted against it.

[Indigenous Affairs, June 11th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her effective advocacy on behalf of the people of Brampton North.

In response to the commission's interim report, our government announced a commemoration fund worth $10 million over the next two years, for national, regional, and local indigenous groups and women's organizations to honour the lives and legacies of our stolen sisters. Our government remains committed to advancing reconciliation and ending the national tragedy of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.

[Points of Order, May 9th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Heckling at the best of times in the House is disruptive. Today you heard an offensive echo from the member for Provencher that women do not have the right to choose.

I humbly request that you ask him to withdraw his assertion.

[Status of Women, May 3rd, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member opposite's commitment on gender equality. Surely, this is something we can all work to advance together.

As for the member's question about gender-based analysis being conducted, we apply an intersectional gender lens to all items coming before cabinet. I am sure she has had a chance to look at the price on pollution and the GBA+ that was done on that piece of policy.

Yes, we are so proud that after 151 years, budget 2018 was the first to have that lens applied to all spending.

[Status of Women, April 17th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my hon. colleague's commitment to gender equality, but I have to point out the inaccuracies and omissions in the NDP report card. The women's groups across the country, and indeed around the world, are applauding our Prime Minister and our government's efforts to advance gender equality. The first budget to have an intersectional gender lens applied to it was budget 2018, but it will not be the last. We will be legislating this process so that future governments can see this work. Pay equity is going to be introduced in this House in the fall, and I am sure it will have her support.

[Status of Women, April 17th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, when we invest in women, we grow the economy for everyone.

This philosophy is at the heart of our investments in communities across the country.

I have to add that my hon. colleague is wrong. We are investing in lifting hundreds of thousands of Canadian kids out of poverty. We are investing historic amounts in infrastructure, including public transit. We have committed to introducing pay equity legislation this fall, with additional funds focused on pay transparency. We also have invested in a historic strategy to advance and prevent gender-based violence, while doubling funding for women's organizations, because when we invest in women, we grow the economy for everyone.

[Status of Women, April 17th, 2018]

Mr. Speaker, budget 2018 was the first federal budget in the history of Confederation to have an intersectional gendered lens applied to all new spending, because we believe that when we invest in women, we improve the economy for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

We have invested in women's organizations. We have invested in indigenous communities in historic ways, and there is more work remaining. We are listening to women's leaders across the country, who are applauding our efforts for advancing gender equality. We are also leading the G7 in this work, through our presidency this year.