First of all, I'd like to thank Status of Women for beginning this important and complex process of exploring the structural issues. It's important to look at the effect and the intersection of the provincial, territorial and federal government policies in the area. In many cases what appears to be a neutral policy in health care, housing, immigration, and access to justice can facilitate an environment in which abuse and neglect can occur more frequently and more easily.
Some of my colleagues and I have an interest in immigrant seniors, particularly those who are under sponsorship, and how those policies leave them and their families vulnerable.
We also recognize that direct funding for most of the services is the responsibility of the provinces or territories; however, we encourage the committee to help emphasize not only the importance of the issue, but the need for core funding for the agencies that are endeavouring to help, especially those offering specialized services to meet the special needs of older women, and to help provide training and services to service providers. We don't want to continue to be in a situation where provincial organizations have to hold teas in order to raise funds for our dedicated provincial abuse lines, as is the case currently in Ontario.
There is a need for the next step in training. There is a lot of basic information out there for service providers; however, we're finding an increasing need for specialized people and more sophisticated and in-depth information to help people, whether they are service providers, practitioners, or policy-makers, understand the complexities. As well, there is also a lack of critical analysis in this area, and we need to help understand the connections better.
Thank you.