Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I would like to join my colleagues in welcoming our witnesses here this evening.
I find it hard to believe that it was almost three years ago that I joined the status of women committee on a tour to a number of communities to talk about violence against aboriginal women. I recognized or learned at that time that often women have to leave the reserve when they need to access shelters and services, and more often than not they find themselves in rural and remote communities or smaller urban centres.
I know earlier you mentioned a recent call for a proposal targeting violence prevention for women in rural and remote communities and small urban centres. I was wondering how that need was identified to your department.