Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would just like to respond to the argument that this bill duplicates what was done by Bill C‑233, if memory serves. These two bills affect two completely different parts of a process. This is a bill that comes into play upstream, when women experience spousal violence and are completely without resources. I say women, because it is much more often women.
We heard some pretty poignant testimony on Monday, probably among the worst I have ever heard. You heard me react. At one point, it became unbearable to hear. So I have trouble imagining how these women can continue to survive as they do, with so much strength, after experiencing that violence.
I would also like to point out that the Quebec Native Women association supported the Quebec initiative to use electronic bracelets, about which Ms. Larouche and I have said a lot today, which is a beacon in this area. It is a positive experience. In this field, as in others, we can take inspiration from Quebec, and I do not hesitate to say it.
This is what we are trying to do with this bill, which was introduced and sponsored by Senator Boisvenu, with all his passion and heart. I would remind us that he has experienced a major tragedy, the loss of his daughter, who was murdered. He has devoted his life to this cause: to protecting women.
At the beginning of the week, we heard testimony from two witnesses: Diane Tremblay and Martine Jeanson. They came to tell us, bluntly and unequivocally, how important it is to support this bill. I do not think that anyone here intends to play petty politics with this issue. I do not sense that, in any case. We are trying to identify the best possible elements of this bill, but we all heard these women's testimony on Monday. They told us not to waste time, and that we had to support this bill, with no amendments. They spoke to us from the heart.
I would like to read you a short passage from Ms. Tremblay's testimony: "I can't tell you just how important the electronic bracelet will be once the bill is adopted."
No one said that this bill was the only solution. In fact, it provides for other tools, including therapy and revision of section 810 of the Criminal Code, which serves virtually no purpose. Quoting Ms. Tremblay again: "We have our reasons for requesting that there be no amendments to the bill. We are here before you to tell you what actually happens. We are the ones who really know. We want to be protected and we want to protect our children."
Ladies, I hear what you are saying today and I thank you. You have taken the time to prepare your briefs. However, it is apparent that we do not agree with you, and we want to say so for the record. We want this bill to go through all the steps. We thank you for coming to meet with us, but evidently we will not find common ground, because to us, the bill is fundamental. It is a major tool that will offer concrete help for women everywhere in Canada who are afraid for themselves, but also for their children.
Madam Chair, I therefore urge all parliamentarians, the witnesses who are here and the associations they represent to reconsider their position on this bill and join us. Nothing is perfect. No one is saying it is perfect, but everyone is saying it is better than nothing. From that perspective, I believe we have to move forward.
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