Hi, Ms. Turpel-Lafond.
I met you for the first time when we were both at an event in Vancouver with Minister Valcourt at the announcement of the coming into force of the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. “Matrimonial real property on reserve” is perhaps another way to put it. This act served to close a legislative gap that previously existed, which barred a spouse from having police officers remove the other spouse from the family home in the event of domestic violence. We certainly heard frustration when we heard from families of victims about that very issue, about the inability of police to remove from a home an offender or someone who had committed domestic abuse.
You talked about the ability to create safety. What effect do you believe this legislation is going to have in helping prevent violence against aboriginal women and children?