Status of Women Committee on Oct. 29th, 2025

[Pierre Brochet]

Mr. Michel can add to my answer, but the system in Quebec is different from that in other provinces.

First of all, if police officers respond to a domestic violence call and have reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offence has been committed, they will lay charges, even if the victim doesn't file a complaint. This ministerial policy was adopted by the Government of Quebec more than 20 years ago, so it has had some effect.

Furthermore, in Quebec, we file a complaint with the prosecutor, who then decides whether to lay charges. I know that in other provinces, such as Ontario, it is the police officer who lays charges directly, and the proceedings follow. Mr. Michel is probably in a better position than I am to answer you.

[Patrick Michel]

I have little to add to complete Mr. Brochet's answer. Indeed, in Quebec, prosecutors decide whether or not to lay charges, not only in domestic violence cases, but in all cases.

Thank you.

[Juanita Nathan, Liberal, Pickering—Brooklin, ON]

Thank you for that.

Mr. Michel, can you talk a bit about repeat offenders being released? What matrix do you use to look at the offences and let them out? What is the bail hearing like, and why are repeat offenders out on bail?

[Patrick Michel]

Thank you for your question, Mrs. Vien.

I'm going to come back to something related to your question, something Ms. Riendeau raised. We use the recidivism risk assessment, also known as a dangerousness assessment. However, since the judge can't impose it even if we request it, the consent of the accused is required, which means that the use of this tool varies greatly from one service point to another.

As a result, we can't adopt a uniform practice, since the court can't impose it, but it's a very useful tool when it's present in our case.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

That's great.

Ms. Larouche, you have two and a half minutes.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Earlier this week, we read a news story that shocked us a bit. It detailed how a Montreal man triggered 93 alerts with his anti-approach bracelet to terrorize his ex.

In Quebec, people are of the opinion that wearing these electronic bracelets helps restore trust. The federal government agrees.

I'd like to hear what you have to say about this case. Should we review the technology, protocols and penalties for the misuse of these devices?

Would one of you like to answer my question, Mr. Brochet, Mr. Michel or Ms. Riendeau?

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Mr. Michel, you have the floor.

[Patrick Michel]

Thank you.

I'll answer very quickly and then turn it over to Ms. Riendeau.

This is a technology used by the Department of Public Safety, and we have little control over it. Our view on this technology is quite positive. Like any technology, there can be some downsides. Generally speaking, and based on our experience with the anti-approach bracelet, or AAB, our prosecutors have a fairly positive opinion of the device as a complementary tool.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Ms. Riendeau, what mechanisms are needed to support this technology? Do we need to set up police surveillance, coordination centres, sending an automatic alert to the victim?

[Louise Riendeau]

I agree with Mr. Michel that according to the figures presented to us, the anti-approach bracelet is generally a deterrent when worn. There aren't that many alerts.

However, in a situation like the one you mentioned, it would have to be determined who should be required to wear an anti-approach bracelet and what stricter measures should be taken when the person wearing it uses it to worry and harass the victim or to abuse the system that manages these devices. Should the device be deactivated in some cases?

The whole issue of evaluation seems essential to us. We have to take the right measures based on the person's profile.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

So you have to assess the risk.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Thank you very much. That concludes your round of questioning.

Mrs. Vien, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

It's always a bit frustrating when we have such a good panel. We have a very short period of time.

Mr. Michel, I'd like to let you finish your previous intervention about the question from my colleague Larry Brock about the continued use of conditional sentences in sexual assault cases when the Crown proceeds by summary conviction. Aren't you a little disappointed by this situation?

[Patrick Michel]

Thank you for your question, Madam.

I'm not necessarily disappointed. I see the usefulness of this practice for the legislator in assessing whether or not to maintain conditional sentences in summary conviction cases. If the stay is closed in the case of summary conviction, there may be a risk. We've seen it in practice. Instead, judges issue a conditional or absolute discharge. A conditional sentence is seen as being more lenient than imprisonment in the community.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

It's a bit of a trade-off between the two. I see.

I've already put the question to Mr. Brochet, and I'll put it to you, Mr. Michel. I know I'm asking you to walk on eggshells, but I have to ask you this. To what extent do you think the increase in the crime rate can be attributed to the changes resulting from Bill C‑5 and Bill C‑75? The numbers are staggering. I have quite a few of them. It's unbelievable.

We talked about the case of Gabie Renaud a little while ago. This woman's ex-spouse committed some 20 offences and was charged 16 times for failing to comply with his conditions. It's incomprehensible.

[Patrick Michel]

It's hard for me to answer your question from a public safety perspective. I'm not a police officer and I'm not the head of a police force like Mr. Brochet. I also haven't analyzed the statistics.

From a justice perspective, it is clear that imposing conditional sentences in sexual assault cases has had an impact on public trust and on victims' trust in the justice system. This is also true for discharges, whose impact has sometimes been even greater.

There is a need to strike a balance between the various sentences that can be imposed by the court.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

You're not having an easy time today. Thank you.

Mr. Brochet, is it a good idea to go back to mandatory minimum sentences? Even Simon Jolin‑Barrette, in the National Assembly, thinks it's a good idea.

[Pierre Brochet]

We're convinced that we should go back to it in the case of certain crimes.

We have experience on the ground. We went on patrol, we conducted investigations, particularly investigations related to organized crime, and responded to domestic violence incidents.

Earlier, we talked about a person who had committed 93 offences while wearing an ankle bracelet. These people are incorrigible; they make a living from crime, they repeat the same crimes and they victimize people in the community on a daily basis.

Therefore, I think it's important to have mandatory minimum sentences. Otherwise, the sentence depends a lot on the evidence that has been presented and the level of tolerance of the judges who will make the decision.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

It's a matter of common sense, as we say back home and in my party.

Ms. Riendeau, on QUB radio recently, you said that demand for spaces in shelters for women victims of violence had increased since the pandemic. You said that, despite that, there had been no increase in funding, whether for shelters to help women who are victims of violence, for prosecutors to manage all these cases or for the police.

That's why I asked Mr. Brochet a question earlier about police resources.

We are expecting budget cuts at the Department for Women and Gender Equality. Could you expand on that a bit? What is your concern? Have you had any funding cuts? Are you expecting any funding cuts? I think departments were asked to reduce their spending by 15%.

[Louise Riendeau]

Fortunately, the provinces are responsible for funding shelters for women victims of violence. Therefore, there has been no reduction in funding and we don't expect to see any, but we need a lot more resources.

Just yesterday, I was looking at the statistics on the increase in intimate partner violence. Of course, it requires more police responses and more actions by prosecutors, if the cases are approved. There have to be the necessary resources to do things properly.

[Dominique Vien, Conservative, Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC]

I don't know how you're going to get there, because—

I'm out of time. Thank you to all the witnesses.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Thank you.

Ms. Ménard, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

It's six o'clock. At 1 p.m. today, I stood next to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Women and Gender Equality to announce $660 million in funding over the next five years to support community organizations, in particular. We believe in prevention and support.

Mr. Brochet, I am the member for Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, in Montreal. I'm sure you're not familiar with all the community organizations, but I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to meet with one called Avant Coup. This community organization works with the police at station 23, which I commend. It implements initiatives aimed at supporting men who are trying to change their behaviour.

I'd like to know more about your vision for co-operation between police forces and experts on the ground and in the community.

[Pierre Brochet]

Thank you for your question.

We couldn't do this work without the co-operation of community groups. They provide support that we can't do without. They develop expertise that we in the police don't have. I see it in Laval, and it's the same everywhere in Canada.

We would not be able to do the work they do. For example, the police would not be able to work with individuals who commit domestic violence crimes. There would be a conflict of interest that would not be well received. We are there to enforce the law and crack down on crime. Of course, we also do prevention work with young people in schools, but community organizations are essential to preventing domestic violence. It's important to work with them to cover all aspects of the problem.

[Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Liberal, Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Brochet.

Madam Chair, have we lost Mr. Deramond? I'm not ready to say goodbye.

Can he speak to us? Are there still technical problems?