Thank you, Madam Chair.
Again, thank you to all three witnesses.
You talked about the increase in violence since the pandemic, despite the amendments to the Criminal Code in 2021. The level of violence has continued to increase over the past two years. I stand wholeheartedly behind you. My spouse is a teacher, and every week, she comes home with horror stories. She works in an elementary school. Social workers and teachers are being bitten and hit. There seems to be a real problem in our society. You all mentioned the need to educate people or perhaps do a better job of supporting them and making them aware of the problem. That's what I want to discuss with you.
What can we do? What are the root causes of the problem? Why are people becoming more violent towards health workers, whatever their job, and teachers? In hospitals, is the problem due to the wait times? Is the issue that people are waiting too long? Is it access to care? Is it a lack of doctors and nurses? Is mental health to blame? You work in the field, so I'm interested in hearing your views. You can go first, Ms. Silas.
What is the root cause of the increase in violence?