Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) - NDP:

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow community members in Ottawa will join the National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The event will mark the completion of the organization’s project “Engaging Immigrant and Visible Minority Women in Leadership Roles”.

Mr. Speaker, this week we celebrate the leadership and achievements of the women’s movement in pursuing a just, peaceful and inclusive world. This is particularly poignant at a time when we see attempts to undermine women’s equality through regressive legislation on pay equity.

Immigrant and visible minority women face sexism and racism simultaneously, which results in higher rates of discrimination and poverty.

Strengthening the voice of immigrant and visible minority women is one major step in the process of ensuring equality for all Canadians.

I congratulate the organization for the work it’s done and I stand as an ally with these leaders in the continuing struggle for women’s equality.