Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, the government is taking significant action to make sure that women and girls are safe. Whether that be our movement forward on cyberbullying and cyberharassment, the victims bill of rights, the focus we have had on punishing criminals, making sure that those who have committed serious crimes no longer have the ability to have a pardon, or better protecting youth and young women, these are things we are focused on.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, as I have already mentioned, this week is a time to remember that crime that took place at the Polytechnique 25 years ago, in fact a Canadian tragedy. We will continue to support those victims as well as punish criminals. As I have mentioned already in this House today, there are a number of initiatives that this government has already taken, whether they be the victims bill of rights act or making sure we have safe streets and communities.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned in the House already today, the government takes extremely seriously violence against women and girls and condemns these acts. Whether it be my work with Plan Canada on International Day of the Girl or recent announcements with the YWCA of Canada or whether it was just this last Friday when I did an announcement with the White Ribbon campaign and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, this government is focused on local, community actions to make sure we are improving the areas where we know it is required.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, any allegations of violence, of harassment, whether it be in a workplace, at home, or otherwise, must be taken extremely seriously. Our government has taken significant action, as I have outlined in this House today, to better protect Canadians, particularly women and girls.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, the massacre at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal was a Canadian tragedy. This week we remember the crimes that took place 25 years ago. While I would never think we could make sense of why those crimes took place that day, we must continue to ensure this never happens again in Canada.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, our government has been committed to preventing violent crimes and violence against women and girls. Let me list some of the things we have done, and I would encourage the members opposite to participate in supporting these initiatives: the victims' bills of rights act; the creation of a DNA-based missing persons index; passing new laws to protect victims who have been harassed by those who have committed crimes against them; eliminating pardons for serious crimes; and better protecting youth from adult sexual predators.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, as I have said in the House many times, having gone out and met with families and spoken to them, what they want is action. Whether it be Bernadette Smith, who lost her sister and who has been unable to find her sister since 2007, or numerous other families, they want action now.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, let me start by talking about the things this government has done and that the opposition has not supported. There is the victims bill of rights, a DNA-based missing persons index and new laws to protect victims from being harassed by those who have committed the crimes against them.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear. On this side of the House, we actually have taken action, whether it be the Safe Streets and Communities Act; whether it be our new bill, looking at zero tolerance for barbaric practices; or whether it be what we have done to ensure that victims are supported with a victims' bill of rights.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, our government has been acting with respect to this. In fact, on September 15, we moved forward with an action plan. I guess what I find the most unfortunate is that the opposition wants to focus on being bogged down with a bunch of individuals who are lawyers to ensure we can just talk about this issue.

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this debate on Motion No. 505. It says, in part: That the House call on the government to take action to prevent forced marriages and any kind of non-consensual sponsorship in the immigration system.... As the Minister of Status of Women, this is an issue that is very near and dear to me.

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, while we cannot and will probably never be able to make sense of the heinous crimes that took place on that day, the moms, daughters, sisters and friends lost and harmed were deliberately targeted. Violence against women and girls affects all of us. It takes a heavy toll on our communities, destroys lives and weakens the very fabric of our Canadian society.

National Defence  Mr. Speaker, violence against women and girls, and against any Canadian, is simply unacceptable in our society, and it will not be tolerated. The Government of Canada has been committed to ending such violence and supporting victims. Whether it be with our Safe Streets and Communities Act or whether it be with our new legislation to uphold the rights of victims, this government is very focused on making sure that we support victims and put those who should be behind bars where they belong—behind bars.

Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law)  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the member's comments that this should go to committee for a fulsome discussion. I am delighted to hear that the opposition supports that. As I mentioned before—and we should be very clear—a service animal and the death of that service animal have a resounding impact on a Canadian.

Justice for Animals in Service Act (Quanto's Law)  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, it is extremely important that Canadians understand how important it is that these service animals are available to support Canadians. Similar to the opposition, I look forward to the discussion that takes place at committee. That fulsome debate is always constructive, and we will definitely move this bill toward its endpoint, which is becoming law and therefore enforceable, so these animals are protected and therefore are of service to Canadians.