Status of Women committee  Madam Chairman, as the official responsible for the United Nations, I can say that to my knowledge, no, there has been no such approach made. There's no such suggestion of lack of understanding by our partners.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chairman, that is correct.

Status of Women committee  That is correct.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair, we've argued that there is no change, with respect. We do have three excellent analysts in the human rights policy and governance division who routinely do provide policy guidance to ensure that Canada is in fulfillment of its convention obligations. We also have ind

Status of Women committee  Madam Chairman, again, we're arguing that there was no change in policy. We do have three individuals in the human rights division. We have individuals in the legal bureau and individuals in New York who do the gender-based analysis.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chairman, I'll have to ascertain whether any such documentation exists. I've never seen it. I don't know whether there was discussion or an analysis on paper. I wasn't responsible for human rights at the time, Madam.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair, I apologize if I was arrogant when responding. That certainly was not my intent. French is not my mother tongue and it is possible that I may have said something without meaning to. Madam Chair, as for the directives, no directives were issued to change the language

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair, our position is that there is no change in this regard. The reaction to the meeting called by Mr. Weetman was that it was a normal meeting. As Mr. Weetman has stated, the meeting was part of a discussion that was ongoing. It is our job to provide advice on the impli

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair, according to our analysis, the terminology has not changed and there is no policy suggesting that the sentences should have changed.

Status of Women committee  Madam Chair, on the issue of the DRC, again, the argument that we're making is that there has been no change in policy and there has been no change in words. With regard to DRC, for example, the minister issued a press statement only on February 25 in which the minister states ve

Status of Women committee  Yes, we do continue to use the term “gender equality”. In fact, as Elissa points out, it's on our website. So yes, it certainly is actively in use, sir.

Status of Women committee  Yes, it's used at the United Nations and elsewhere, including in the resolutions for which Canada has the lead in managing the negotiations.

Status of Women committee  The audience at the United Nations would view the terms as entirely interchangeable.

Status of Women committee  Yes, that is the case.

Status of Women committee  I will respond very quickly, because the rest may have comments. I would just make the point, Madam Chairman, that as recently as Monday, the minister said at the Human Rights Council on this issue of impunity, for example, that Canada was among the first to call for the referr