, seconded by the member for Vancouver Granville, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-468, An Act to amend the Employment Equity Act.

She said: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great honour to present this bill in what will be my last act as a member of Parliament.

I would first like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mark Warawa, and the community of Langley—Aldergrove. His last speech in this place will be remembered as one of my favourites.

I want to thank the member for Vancouver Granville, a woman I am very proud of and will always continue to stand with.

I want to thank the members of the Liberal government and the NDP for supporting this bill from the outset, and particularly the members for Portage—Lisgar and Oshawa who helped and guided me through this process to get this bill here today. I want to thank Jacqueline Yost, legislative counsel; and the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel for all of their help in getting me here.

I came to this place to be a voice for all the people I represent, to raise awareness on issues, to move the status quo and to remove barriers.

This bill represents the voices of those both past and present in the federal system. It is my hope that it will examine and help remove the barriers that prevent them, especially those from the black community, from achieving success and promotion within the system. Their voices are reflected in this bill, and it is my honour to bring their voices to this place.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Celina Caesar-Chavannes

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