Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning to all of the folks back in Labrador.
I first of all want to thank the committee for undertaking this particular study. I know how important it is to the communities that are represented on the line this morning.
Of course, it is an issue that is prevalent throughout the nation. It is always important to repeat a particular fact: the Sisters in Spirit have documented over 580 murdered or missing aboriginal women in this country in the last 20 to 25 years, and this is a trend that continues. It highlights the importance of the work this committee is undertaking and what is happening in communities like those in Labrador.
I want to say thank you to all of the participants from back in the big land, Nitassinan, Nunatsiavut. You do fantastic work and you've given the committee a very brief but I believe a very deep understanding of some of the challenges we face in our communities in Natuashish, Sheshatshiu, and the Inuit communities, and in other places. I want to thank you for the work you have undertaken.
I note that Michelle said something about it being reactive. There has been a reactive approach to much of the violence, and there are many reasons. I just want to shift focus for just a little bit and ask each of you to underline one strategy you think is working to address this issue.
If you had one ask of this committee in terms of something we can move forward to help you in your work of trying to prevent violence against women and girls, what would that be? I know that there's not a lot of time, but I think that's where we want to focus. How can this committee help? What strategies can this committee promote to help you in your daily work to prevent violence against women and girls?
I thank you once again.