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Warawa's motion turned down by House of Commons committee

Langley MP mulls his options as doors to his private member's motion keep closing.
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Langley MP Mark Warawa

Langley MP Mark Warawa has lost his appeal of a House of Commons subcommittee decision last week, which prevents his private member's motion on sex selection practices from proceeding to the House of Commons for a vote.

The subcommittee ruled last week that the motion was "non voteable." Warawa appealed that decision to the House standing committee on procedure and house affairs (PROC). On Thursday, Warawa was told that his appeal had been rejected

The Langley MP, who has been working on the motion for much of the past year, was disappointed, and is now mulling his options.

“I have three options. I can accept the decision of PROC, appeal to the House, or introduce another motion or bill,” said Warawa. “I want to make sure that I take time to consider what is best for the issue of discrimination against women and girls.”

The United Nations estimates that 200 million women and girls are missing due to gendercide, and stated: “Renewed and concerted efforts are needed by governments and civil society to address the deeply rooted gender discrimination which lies at the heart of sex selection.”

“Ninety-two per cent of Canadians want the practice of sex selection condemned,” said Warawa. “I need time to consider how best to move this issue forward.”

He must make his decision by April 19.

In addition to his appeal being turned down, Warawa was prevented from making a member's statement in the House of Commons about his motion being turned down. This was done on orders of Conservative whip Gordon O'Connor.