Evidence of meeting #23 for Status of Women in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was firearms.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Marilyn Gladu
I'm sorry. That's the end of your time, Ms. Nathan.
That's the hardest part of this job.
Ms. Larouche, you have the floor for six minutes.
Bloc
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Minister, thank you very much for being with us today. I also want to thank the people working on this issue and the people affected by it.
The clear purpose for looking at section 810 of the Criminal Code, the subject of this study, is to find out whether it is actually appropriate for addressing the rise in femicide and violence against women. For all these reasons, we thought it was important for not only the Minister of Justice, but also the Minister of Public Safety, to come and testify before the committee.
The study is making some women's groups sit up and ask questions. We aren't doing a clause-by-clause consideration of a bill, but we still have a duty to ask questions that women's groups are concerned about. When these groups learned that the Minister of Public Safety was coming to testify before the committee to talk about violence against women, they sent us questions. Therefore, I am speaking on behalf of these groups when I ask my questions about things like compensation and the implementation of firearms regulations.
Bill C‑21 contained key measures to remove firearms from perpetrators of domestic violence. However, according to these groups, some of the measures have still not been implemented. For example, one of the measures was to prohibit people subject to a protection order related to cases of violence from having access to firearms. Draft regulations to that effect were even tabled in March 2025, but women's associations wrote to say that they were too weak. They asked that the bill be strengthened, because it excluded, for example, protection orders issued under the Criminal Code. A second consultation has just been launched on section 810 peace bonds, but there have been no other consultations.
What can you say to reassure these women's groups?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Thank you for your question, Ms. Larouche.
A number of very important measures have stemmed from Bill C-21, including the yellow flag and the red flag, as well as mandatory licence ineligibility and revocation.
Bill C-16, which is in the House right now, will address femicide. For the first time, we're recognizing femicide as a stand-alone offence, which is something that many organizations, particularly those working with those impacted by intimate partner violence, have been asking for. There are also additional measures around protection for women as part of Bill C-16.
With respect to section 810, one of the gaps we have is in the enforcement of breaches. This is something that I think needs to happen in a more robust way. I've heard about this extensively, speaking to law enforcement, Crown and defence counsel and those who represent women. There appears to be a fair bit of a gap in the law. As you're aware, a breach of a section 810 peace bond can lead to up to four years of incarceration, but it's rarely enforced.
Bloc
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
In short, in terms of section 810 of the Criminal Code, could you strengthen the draft regulations to include all varieties of protection orders, including those under the Criminal Code, in cases of intimate partner violence?
February 5th, 2026 / 3:50 p.m.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
This is something that we will work on with Minister Fraser. I know he's coming next. I will certainly be willing to work with him to strengthen both the enforcement and the regulations.
Bloc
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Shefford, QC
There's also a measure in Bill C‑21 that makes people ineligible to obtain a firearms licence if they are convicted of a crime involving violence. However, the department interpreted the act to apply only after the provision came into force. Women's groups have said that it should be retroactive.
Why would it apply only in the future, while women's lives are at risk? Could your department commit to making the measure retroactive to maximize women's safety? Would you consider that kind of measure?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
My understanding is that retroactivity will require a change in the law. That's not something that I think is in the cards at this point, but we'll certainly be willing to have that discussion with you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Marilyn Gladu
Excellent.
Ms. Cody, you have five minutes in the second round.
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you to everyone for coming here today as witnesses, and especially you, Minister, for coming to our committee. It's greatly appreciated.
I have a few questions. Hopefully, we can go through some of them quickly.
As the Minister of Public Safety, do you know which weapon of opportunity is specifically used against women in cases of intimate partner violence and homicide?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
I'm sorry. I beg your pardon. What's the—
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
What is the specific weapon that is normally used in cases of intimate partner violence and homicide? Do you know which weapon that would be?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
There is a range of weapons, including firearms.
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
If you don't have that number off the top of your head, Minister, I can help you. According to the stats I have, for 65% to 70%, hands contribute to violence against women by pushing, beating or choking. Sexual assaults are up by 76%.
Do you know what weapon was used in the murder of Bailey McCourt?
Liberal
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Do you know what weapon was used in the murder of Bailey McCourt?
Liberal
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
It was a hammer.
In the death of Bailey McCourt, since it was a hammer that was used, did she die by the actions of the hammer or of the person wielding the weapon?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
I would say that in many cases of intimate partner violence, it is the individual who is responsible. There are different weapons that are used in that context, and I would say that it is a combination of the individual who is using the weapon to cause harm on an individual.
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Then you agree that a hammer is an inanimate tool and can do harm only through the person who intends to use it to do harm. Is that correct?
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
Look, I'm not an expert, Ms. Cody. I would say that I'm here to talk to you generally about the work we're doing to ensure that—
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
I understand that, but can you answer my question? It's a simple question.
Liberal
Gary Anandasangaree Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, ON
If I may, I appreciate where you're going with this, and what I would suggest is that—
Conservative
Connie Cody Conservative Cambridge, ON
Can you answer the question, though, Minister, with all due respect?
It's my time and I'm asking a question. Can you answer it? Is it the hammer that does the killing or is it the person behind the hammer?