Status of Women committee  Thank you for the question. I think that it's the most important aspect of this bill. I spoke with more than 100 women over the past three years. A little later, you'll be hearing from two witnesses, both victims, who worked closely with me on this bill. The words that we heard most often from victims were “protect us”, “don't run government advertising campaigns asking us to report our abusers because when we do, our lives are at risk”.

Status of Women committee  I'd like to thank the member who sponsored Bill C‑233, which has already been adopted. However, its scope within the Criminal Code is relatively narrow. I'll give you an example: subsection(4.2) of section 515 of the Criminal code, which has been in force since the adoption of Bill C‑233, focuses on specific offences, but does not include things like intimidation, breaking and entering and being unlawfully in a dwelling house.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for asking. We consulted the technology companies that are currently using electronic bracelets in Canada in circumstances other than domestic violence. Examples include terrorism and other criminal offences. In Canada, approximately 400 men are now wearing the bracelet for crimes other than domestic violence.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the question. It's a very important one. In order to draft the bill, we consulted the provinces, as I was saying earlier. We consulted the police, indigenous communities, former judges, abused women's federations, therapists and victims. The subject is a matter of concern in remote regions.

Status of Women committee  I need five more minutes. I didn't want to go fast because I knew the translators would have some problems.

Status of Women committee  The second part of Bill S‑205 pertains to the recognizance orders to keep the peace and be of good behaviour provided in section 810 of the Criminal Code, which means approximately 80% of domestic violence cases. Take note of that number: 80% of domestic violence cases end up with a recognizance order under section 810, that is to say without a trial or a charge.

Status of Women committee  Thank you very much. First of all, I want to apologize that my notes are not in English. I would have preferred to send you my notes, but I had very little time to prepare, so they are only in French. However, if you have questions in English, I will answer in English. Good afternoon, members of the committee.

Justice committee  Thank you, Chair. I would like to inform you that I will have to leave very early because I have to be at the Senate at 5 o'clock. Monsieur Lametti is there. As the deputy chair of our justice committee, I have to be with him at that time. Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today regarding the study of the federal government's obligations to victims of crime.

Justice committee  I'd like to thank the member for raising a very important point. Like many other MPs, I too would like to offer my condolences to the people of London for the recent events. Because the ombudsman deals with complaints from all federal agencies and the position is accountable to a single department, it's only a matter of time before there will be a conflict of interest.

Justice committee  Thank you.

Justice committee  The key weakness in victim assistance, particularly with respect to restitution, is that it's a provincial jurisdiction. Four provinces have good services, four have minimal services, and four provinces and territories do not offer any victim services. Canadians are therefore not equal before the law.

Justice committee  I would just like to add a comment about the concept of provincial reciprocity...

Justice committee  Okay.

Justice committee  Every day of every week, victims of crime who are dealing with the justice system contact my office for support. When I tell these victims about what is in the bill, I'm always dumbfounded to find that the Crown attorneys, who represent the state, have no idea of what in there. That's often the case for judges too.

Justice committee  Good afternoon.