(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, over the last little while I have listened to news items and phone-in shows in Nunavut regarding gender parity by the different interest groups. As we have publicly stated, the Nunavut MLAs would like to see this issue brought to the people for a vote. Let the people use their common sense when they decide whether they will have an equal number of men and women in their Legislature or whether they will have representation by people based on merit.
Mr. Speaker, I spoke out against gender parity, not because I am a man, but because I am very aware of the rights of men and women as being equal within our democratic government and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. At present, and since the mid-1900s, women have had the right to vote and to run for any office they wish. Men have the right as well, although their rights occurred well ahead of women's rights. My point here, Mr. Speaker, is that I wish to remind people that we are not hiding anything when we disagree on the gender parity issue. The point is that we have that equality in this day and age and I do not think it is a fair statement to say that because women's rights are lagging in the north they are under-represented. Women have always been encouraged to run for office, Mr. Speaker. I implore more women to run for what they believe in. I encourage women to become leaders and to run on their own merit. I encourage women, as equals, to run against men and men to run against women as equals. In this fair and objective manner, men need not have their freedom bound by having to run only against their gender and, vice versa, for women to run against only their gender for the sake of gender parity.
Mr. Speaker, every human being in Canada has similar rights and freedoms. Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement. (Translation ends)