SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Women's Health Forum on Parliament Hill

Honourable senators, today and tomorrow, Parliament Hill is hosting a national forum on women’s health, which I organized following the tabling of Bill S-243, a bill that seeks to establish a national framework for women’s health. The forum’s objective is clear: to inform and provide tools to parliamentarians on an issue of that, although it concerns over half of Canada’s population, remains poorly coordinated and too often neglected among our legislative priorities.

Hundreds of experts, clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs and community leaders are coming from coast to coast to coast to meet with us parliamentarians. They bring a wealth of knowledge, talent and expertise. They call for more coordination and oversight. That is precisely why Bill S-243 was introduced — to remedy these issues and to ensure accountability to Parliament. We know that collaboration, coherence and partnership are essential to achieving lasting progress.

Canada prides itself on being a leader of diversity, equity and inclusion. Here is the perfect opportunity to prove it. Colleagues, your presence will send a powerful message to all women across this country that their voices are being heard.

All of these women’s health stakeholders are coming here to share their expertise, their solutions and a lot of hope. It’s an opportunity for us to ask questions, understand the issues, grasp the system’s complexity and act accordingly.

I want to commend the commitment of everyone who is taking the time to be here today and tomorrow. Their attendance is no token gesture; it’s an act of public service.

I also want to thank the Women’s Health Coalition whose relentless national engagement work has made this forum possible. Colleagues, I urge you to join us.

Thank you. Meegwetch.