Anita Vandenbeld

Madam Speaker, as we approach October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child, we must remember the devastating impact of armed conflict on girls and women around the world. UNICEF estimates that more than 473 million children live in conflict-affected areas. Girls in these countries are nearly two and a half times more likely to be out of school. They face sexual violence, trafficking, forced marriage and displacement, often without essential supports. However, girls are not simply victims. They are courageous individuals, leaders and agents of peace. Canada's international development policy must protect these girls, support their education, help survivors and ensure their voices are heard during peace processes. On this International Day of the Girl Child, their rights, safety and dreams must remain a priority.

Madam Speaker, I rise to present a petition that was signed by over 3,000 petitioners. The petitioners are concerned with the historically long time that security screening is taking for immigration files. They point out the harms to families, to their careers and to finances that extensively long security screening times are creating. They are calling on CSIS to publish measurable service standards, establish a documented escalation and review process, publish aggregate data and develop an immigration screening backlog reduction plan.

Mr. Speaker, today is the second anniversary of the tabling of the ACVA committee report entitled “Invisible No More. The Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans”. The report makes 42 recommendations and emphasizes the need to address health and research gaps, economic and social challenges, military sexual trauma, and the systemic barriers for women getting the services they are entitled to. Behind every recommendation was a woman who came forward to share her story. These are stories of service, of sacrifice, of resilience and too often, of feeling unseen. Many of those women are here in Parliament today. As co-chair of the parliamentary friendship group for veterans, I will share that we will be hosting a round table discussion this afternoon with the Invisible No More project to talk about the progress made on the recommendations and what remains to be done. As we mark this anniversary, I thank all women veterans. We see them and we hear them.

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of tabling, in both official languages, the following two reports of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development: the ninth report, entitled “Amplifying Canada's Africa Strategy”, and the 10th report, entitled “Standing with Democracy and Human Rights Defenders: Strengthening Support at a Critical Time”, by the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to each of these two reports.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present a petition to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture. The petitioners are concerned that the current health of animals regulations allow the export of live horses for slaughter. Petitioners are concerned that this causes suffering due to long journeys and inhumane conditions. The petitioners call for a ban on the export of live horses for slaughter.