Madam Chair, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Arlène Gaudreault and I am President of the Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes. I am a founding member of the Association where I have been a volunteer since 1982.
The Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes is a coalition of member organizations that work with women, children and seniors. Year over year, our association has an average of 200 member organizations. Our organization has been a trailblazer in Canada. We introduced the victim impact statement before a code of law. We were the first organization to support victims of crime in Quebec—I coordinated that—and we also set up the first service to support victims and witnesses at the Montreal Court House.
Mr. Laroche described the problems facing families affected by a criminal event or suicide. I think it's fair to say the lives of these people have been shattered, turned completely upside down, and that they find themselves having to cope with the serious after-effects. We now know that one quarter of those who experience a violent crime will develop post-traumatic stress syndrome, that 15% to 20% of victims of violent crimes suffer chronic long-term after-effects, and that in the case of homicide, the mourning process for affected people lasts far longer. It is estimated that people generally need two years to recover and often go through a complex mourning process that can last for years.
Obviously, in fulfilling our mission over the 30 years since our organization was first established, we have often met people who lost their jobs because their employer laid them off from employment that wasn't protected. We have often met victims who were pressured by their employer to return to work quickly. We have seen parents deprived of wages having to care for children for many months—children who were seriously injured. And I can tell you that we quite regularly provide support to victims fighting to secure compensation and the right to rehabilitation. These are some of the things we encounter on a daily basis.
The issue of the return to work for victims of crime and families has been studied very little. And it is still being overlooked today. People are only starting to take an interest in the families of homicide victims and victims in general.
The proposed amendments to the Canada Labour Code, as Ms. Bonsant was explaining earlier, were largely inspired by Bill 58, which came into force in Quebec in 2006. It's important to point out that all the political parties, without exception, supported this bill. If you read the minutes of proceedings in the National Assembly where this was debated, you will see that there was very little discussion. There truly was a consensus and we hope that will also be the case for all the parties that make up the Canadian government.
Our association believes that the obligation to grant leave to employees when a member of their family has been the victim of a violent criminal offence or has committed suicide should be enshrined in the Canada Labour Code. That way, leave requests and the conditions for their return to work will no longer depend—and I think it's important to emphasize this point—on an employer's arbitrary decision, his good will or his capacity for empathy.
We're also in favour of amendments to the Employment Insurance Act, as this will mean better financial support for people who are vulnerable—I think everyone here can understand that—at times when they have to look after their family. It would provide them with financial assistance so that they can put their life back together according to what they believe to be most appropriate and this would also… It is a well-known fact that after a violent crime, there are all kinds of legal proceedings associated with applying for compensation through various legal and other authorities. That involves all kinds of unexpected expenses.
Indeed, the costs are very high for victims of crime. For example, Statistics Canada tells us that in 2003, the costs amounted to some $70 billion, 67% of which was born by the victims. Of that amount, costs associated with violent crimes amounted to $18 billion.
We see this support as an essential component of the programs and initiatives implemented to help victims of crime in Canada.
I would like to emphasize one point made by Mr. Laroche with respect to compensation programs. In Quebec, just as in this Committee, some people have been saying that compensation programs support the families, and that certain kinds of support are already provided under compensation programs. However, that is not correct. In cases of homicide or where the people asking for compensation are not the direct victims, compensation programs do not cover loss of income.
The Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes supports this bill because it recognizes that victims need support, because it reflects our collective solidarity and because it sends the message that we are not indifferent. We also support this bill because in Canada, we have a statement of principles that dates back to 2003. The first principle is that victims must be treated with respect, fairness and compassion. That highlights rights that are enshrined in the Canada Labour Code and granted under the Employment Insurance program; however, victims' rights included in legislation often are not enforceable.
There are two or three points we would like to make. The concept of physical injury is not defined and appears to be restrictive. Does it include strictly physical injury? Is psychological injury covered? An example that comes to mind is children who have been sexually assaulted; they may not have any physical injuries, but they have suffered serious harm. That concept needs to be clarified.
I would also like to point out that, as regards compensation, the concept of injury or bodily harm includes physical injuries as well as mental and nervous shock. Our suggestion is that related legislation, as well as court decisions in that area be reviewed. That is our first recommendation.
There are also a great many grey areas when it comes to missing persons and abductions.
May I continue?