I’m grateful for the chance to speak on International Women’s Day, despite the government’s attempt to prevent the independent members from speaking and representing their constituents. They misused their power to silence opposition, contradicting the democratic principles they were elected to uphold. It’s wrong that we had to fight for the right to speak on behalf of our constituents in the Legislature today, and it was wrong when the government did not first give us unanimous consent on the first request to speak.

When you do the wrong thing, the right thing to do is apologize. I’m calling on the government to do that today.

But I am thankful, and I’m encouraged by the solidarity that I’ve seen here today among our independent colleagues, our NDP colleagues and the men who stood with us. That is what has always advanced women’s rights.

Now I’d like to focus on women’s issues in my community of Don Valley West. Supporting women benefits the economy and our society. Fair wages for nurses, who are mostly women, will improve our health care system.

My mother was a retired nurse and she was asked during the Harris years to work for free due to budget cuts, and that underscores the need to respect nurses. I stand here today for her and others like her, and to ensure my daughter and all of our daughters do not experience the same thing.

We can do more to support women, and we demand that support today from the government. I hope the government listens to these women’s voices.