(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to fulfill a commitment I made to this House. As Minister responsible for the Status of Women I said I would consult with women's groups to get first hand their comments and concerns on the situation involving PaulQuassa, his recent court case, and his position within the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut.

I can tell you that the women I spoke to were very concerned about the fact that Mr. Quassa received an absolute discharge from the court, concerned about the message this sends toothers who may commit offences of this type, about whether there are consequences for such actions.

Mr. Speaker, I share the concerns expressed by the leaders of NWT women's organizations and others about what sorts of messages we send to those who commit offences against women. But while I am concerned with what happens to offenders in the courts, I am also aware that the Northwest Territories has the highest rate of imprisonment in Canada, and that even with that rate, we still have a serious problem with offences involving violence. So I want to direct our efforts toward what we do about the attitudes which give rise to these offences, what we do to prevent the assaults, what we do to change people's behaviour.

--- Applause