Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to congratulate Ms. Peterson and all the contributors for a very good, thoughtful and clear report. I want also to commend the Minister of Justice for initiating this presentation in the Committee of the Whole. It is extremely important that we demonstrate to the public amidst all the other pressing issues that we are dealing with, how important this issue is to this Assembly. I know that there will be support for other presentations in future on this issue. We may choose to invite Pauktuutit, the Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and the Native Women's Association to give us the benefit of their viewpoints.
Mr. Chairman, this is a difficult point for a kabloona to make. Touching on the very sensitive issue of traditional values, I know I am reflecting the views that I have heard from women in my constituency, including aboriginal women. I would like to make a small note of caution. We do not know much about the traditional values in the communities. There is an exciting project under way in Lac La Martre which we all look forward to and which will give us some real evidence gathered from elders about what those values are -- particularly in the family area.
The caution I would make is that we must recognize that even the traditional values may not always respect gender equality. We must be careful to be sensitive that some of those values may not reflect the spirit of equality that we value in the modern world. What the Members are saying about relying on those traditional values is important, but we also have to ensure that they are fair and appropriate to the modern world and the principles of equality.
That is a comment I wanted to make without taking away from what honourable Members have said about the importance of the system changing to reflect the excellent traditional values that we want to preserve. Mr. Chairman, I know that all the Members agree that this discussion of this very important issue must not end today. There is work to be done, and the Minister is committed to coming forward with an action plan. I wish to move a motion, now.