Evidence of meeting #37 for Status of Women in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was family.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes.
Conservative
Susan Truppe Conservative London North Centre, ON
Thank you.
My next question is for Superintendent Bates. You mentioned that a high amount of violence is from someone they know. I think I also read that in the report that you produced, and again it was a high percentage. I'm wondering if you remember the percentage, but it was a high percentage of family members, I think, family members or people who they knew who were committing a lot of the crimes. I don't even know if it was over 80%. Do you remember the stat on that?
Supt Tyler Bates
Yes. When we look specifically at female homicidal violence, over 90%—in fact 92% for the non-aboriginal women, and 93% for aboriginal women—experienced violence from an intimate partner or spouse, family members, or acquaintances. In the overall totality of family violence, only 8% of the homicides were stranger-perpetrated acts.
Conservative
Susan Truppe Conservative London North Centre, ON
I don't know if I missed it, but is there a program or an initiative that you have that addresses men and boys?
Supt Tyler Bates
Certainly we have specific family violence initiatives that address men and boys. To give an example, one of the family violence initiatives that was funded for this coming year is a proposed camp, the Carrier Sekani Family Services warrior camp that will immerse, educate, and speak about cultural issues and the issue of violence against women and children. It will provide a cultural reminder to young men, as well as women, as to the inconsistency with cultural roots and this ongoing issue of women being victimized. This particular program is being delivered in one of the most vulnerable communities.
November 25th, 2014 / 9:30 a.m.
Conservative
Supt Tyler Bates
Certainly, there are a number of others that speak to that and we are looking forward to some public service announcements as well that specifically target men and boys. That is something that is yet to come to fruition, but we're making efforts in that regard.
Conservative
NDP
The Chair NDP Hélène LeBlanc
Thank you very much, Ms. Truppe. You always manage to ask your questions within the allotted seven minutes. That's good.
We will go to Mrs. Sellah, for seven minutes.
NDP
Djaouida Sellah NDP Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I also want to thank the witnesses who are here today. Your timing is perfect, as today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We know that one in three women experiences violence in their lifetime.
Since Thursday, we have been considering various aspects of violence against women.
Forced marriage is a problem in Canada. According to the studies I have read, that problem affects more Canadian citizens than immigrants or refugees. The South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario is an organization that has been dealing with the issue of forced marriage for years. It identifies such marriages, supports its case with facts and defends victims. That organization recently carried out a study whose findings clearly indicate that the vast majority of victims of forced marriages are Canadian citizens. Those victims are likely from all cultural backgrounds, and not only from those discredited by the government's legislative measures, such as Bill S-7.
My colleague, Stella Ambler, moved a motion that seemingly addresses forced marriage. However, in reality, the motion would amend regulations on immigration and refugees to ban the use of proxy marriages as a means to spousal sponsorship. We are trying to understand why this bill uses a form of violence against women by making spousal sponsorship more difficult.
Deepa Mattoo of the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario said that this motion was not based on any facts or statistics indicating a significant correlation between marriage by proxy and forced marriages.
NDP
Djaouida Sellah NDP Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I would like to hear from the immigration representatives.
What do you have to say about Ms. Mattoo's statement?
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Thank you for the question.
As you are aware, the Government of Canada did support the motion of MP Ambler. At the moment, the government is in the process of examining how to implement the spirit of the motion. I'm not able to discuss the details of how it will actually be implemented.
The immigration system, in terms of the sponsorship of spouses, already has many methods of determining whether or not a relationship is bona fide or genuine. It is in that spirit that we're looking at the motion and what it will mean for the immigration system and the regulations.
NDP
Djaouida Sellah NDP Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Okay.
I would like to draw your attention to an immigration holding centre in Laval, Quebec, that is no more than a prison where men, women and children are detained. For years, we have been hearing about human rights violations when children are detained in conditions that violate all international human rights standards.
Today, the passing of Bill C-31 would legalize the detention of children for a maximum period of one year without giving them access to health care, legal assistance or the protection of rights related to their status.
Can you tell the committee about the health status and well-being of women and children detained in federal immigration holding centres?
This question is for everyone. Can someone give us more information on the detention of children with their parents in institutions that lack services related to children's health and rights, as I just noted?
These seem to be difficult questions, don't they, Madam Chair?
Acting Director General, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We can find some information for you.
Acting Director General, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
The federal system is our concern. We can seek out information to provide you with an answer to your question.
NDP
The Chair NDP Hélène LeBlanc
That would be greatly appreciated. You can send the response to the clerk, who will pass it on to the committee members.
The invitation has been extended. Following testimony, you can always send us further clarifications in response to questions asked by committee members.
Acting Director General, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Thank you.
NDP
The Chair NDP Hélène LeBlanc
Since there are a few seconds left, and I think Mrs. Sellah is finished, I will use the time to ask a question.
Last week, we heard from a number of representatives from various governments. We saw that many initiatives are very promising. There is a growing trend—either at Status of Women Canada or in other departments like yours—to fund projects instead of programs. Organizations often have to comply with project conditions.
Do you find that the funding is not always recurrent? Do you think this is a good way to proceed? In your opinion, is investment in a long-term program in excess of five years more beneficial in terms of promising methods for preventing violence against women?
This question is for anyone who wants to answer it.
Ms. Israel, go ahead.
Director General, Social Policy and Programs Branch, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
I will begin. That is an excellent question.
I think there should be a balance between the two. It is essential to provide programs for women and make those programs available. For instance, in my department, it is of key importance for programs to provide services to aboriginal women on reserve who need protection. That is essential.
I also think it is very important that funding be available for projects. Professional organizations and experts in the field should be involved. Those organizations could provide assistance and propose new methods and ways of thinking to prevent violence.
Even now, there is research out there that has given rise to completely new solutions, but those solutions must be tested to see what the results will be.
It is also important for us to share information amongst ourselves.
That is my opinion.
NDP
The Chair NDP Hélène LeBlanc
Thank you very much. This will help us continue our deliberations. I rarely get involved in the discussion, so I appreciate your understanding.
Ms. O'Neill Gordon, this has not cut into your time. You still have seven minutes.