Consistent funding for the work around violence against women is absolutely critical. The possibility of continuing to do the work we're doing is one of the important ways this happens. Because we're talking about something systemic and long-standing, long-standing and systemic things don't change overnight. We need a long-term vision to end violence against women with disabilities and deaf women in this country. It doesn't happen during the course of one project.
We have a vision at DAWN Canada. We know some of the instruments the federal government could be using to work with us and with other partners across the country to begin to develop a really clear strategic plan. One of the envelopes I think of is the enabling accessibility fund, which Mr. Flaherty was instrumental in developing here in Canada. Because if the enabling accessibility fund, for example, were targeted to shelters and transition houses as part of a coordinated call from Status of Women and the Canadian Women's Foundation, as an example, these kinds of strategic approaches, looking not for one year, not for two years, but over 10 years to see us build a national network of shelters, transition houses, and supports for women with disabilities are doable. They are doable if we make the commitments today, and if we understand it's not about what happens today, but it's about making this long-term plan so things change.
For 30 years DAWN Canada has said what the issue is and understood what the issue is and made recommendations. In order for us to move past the recommendations to concrete plans, this project, the one DAWN Canada is currently doing with Status of Women Canada, coupled with some of the other things I talked about, including using instruments the federal government has in its power now, could make that difference. In 10 years from now we could have what we need in this country, which is a national network of accessible shelters and transition houses for women with disabilities.
Thank you.