Status of Women Committee on May 7th, 2026

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

Thank you very much.

You might get another chance to continue.

It's your turn now, Ms. Larouche.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister, for joining us today. Once again, I want to say that we're reeling from the shocking news of yet another femicide. One of the first victims of femicides this year was Véronique Champagne, and I want to recognize her loved ones. Her death occurred in the riding of Shefford, in Rougemont to be precise. I attended her vigil, which was organized by the Rougemont community.

We now have a 10th femicide. I would also like to extend my sincere condolences to Shannon Jean Hickey's family.

It's hard to understand the reason behind all of this violence. On November 25 last year, after tabling the report on the study that I recommended to this committee on the status of women, during which we spoke about coercive control—the idea came from a Quebec government report on rebuilding trust entitled “Rebâtir la confiance”—and heard that coercive control should be enshrined in the Criminal Code and that the federal government had to take action. The thing that shook me at the beginning of this year when I heard about Véronique Champagne's femicide was the reminder from one of her loved ones that femicides are highly preventable crimes. Unfortunately, we have failed to prevent them.

Minister, we can't undertake a multi-year campaign to end femicide with a 12-month grant. Several organizations have told us that.

Temporary project-related funding that women's rights organizations receive from Women and Gender Equality Canada is sorely inadequate in this day and age. In the course of our study, we've seen that retrogressive and extremist movements on the rise of masculinism are actively trying to reverse human rights, even as the wave of violence against women continues to claim an increasing number of victims, with rates of femicide on the rise in Quebec and throughout Canada. This comes on top of rising economic uncertainty and precarious employment driven by geopolitical instability, the trade war between the United States and Canada, and lack of operational funding for domestic organizations that advocate for women's rights, and this is imperiling women's rights and safety.

Are you committed to addressing this inequality and to providing funding to support the long-term mandates of these organizations?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Madam Chair, I thank my honourable colleague for that question.

We've had many conversations with regard to ending gender-based violence in this country. What I can share with this committee, and I alluded to it the last time I was here, is that our government is committed to making sure that, through Women and Gender Equality Canada, we're investing and doing everything we can to end gender-based violence. In the last budget, in November, you would have seen a commitment of $660.5 million. This is absolutely essential. You need funding. Organizations have asked for this. When we talk about gender-based violence, $223.4 million over five years is a significant investment. The piece that's really critical—it's the first time in history—is the $44.7 million ongoing. This is tremendously important.

I do want to share, since the member is from Quebec, that I really appreciate that she attended that occasion to be able to commemorate the person we have lost. Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, with the funding we've provided, have helped strengthen the socio-judicial system's ability to recognize, document and respond to coercive control for intimate partner violence. The tools they have delivered have helped 6,200 professionals, which is absolutely essential to making sure that frontline organizations have that support and do everything they can to end gender-based violence in this country.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

The reality, Minister, is that many of the responsibilities connected to ending gender-based violence fall under the jurisdiction of Quebec and the provinces. In fact, there will be some compelling debate in the Quebec National Assembly on the “Gabie Renaud” bill. I hope Quebec will pass it. The government of Quebec, with its “Rebâtir la confiance” report and the “Gabie Renaud” bill, is therefore a trailblazer.

The issue now is that the justice system, shelters, police services, prosecutors, and rehabilitation and support programs for survivors are all under Quebec. The provinces, including Quebec, have said they don't have enough resources to address the scale of this crisis.

Obviously, Bill C‑16 will provide additional measures under the Criminal Code, but thereafter, the administration of justice will fall under Quebec. That's a good example of fiscal imbalance, Minister.

Have you discussed that with your colleagues?

Does your government have any plans to increase transfers related to the justice system?

If not, I'm quite concerned the new measures that will be enshrined in the Criminal Code will leave Quebec and the provinces in a difficult position when it comes to implementation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

Please give a brief answer in 40 seconds, Minister.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to go back to the idea the member opposite brought up with regard to the campaign on femicides. I think that's a great idea, and if the committee agrees it's what we want to do in this country, you can certainly put that forward.

With regard to the Quebec Assembly, I'm happy to work alongside Minister Biron. I congratulate her for taking on the portfolio again. I recently met with her, right before the election, and one of the federal supports we're ensuring we are providing funding for is the crisis lines. These are vital supports that Quebeckers need—

[The Chair, Conservative, Dominique Vien]

Thank you, Minister.

It's very frustrating, but I have to keep time.

Ms. Cody, you have the floor.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Minister, for coming today.

Would you agree that homelessness among older adults, or seniors, has increased?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

What I can say is that our government is making sure that we recognize vulnerable Canadians—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

It was a simple question: Yes or no?

Federal homelessness reporting shows that unsheltered homelessness has increased 107%. Is 107% acceptable to you, Minister?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Madam Chair, what the member opposite would have seen in our spring economic update is that our commitment to making sure we're providing—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Minister, that's not an answer. I asked you if a 107% increase in unsheltered homelessness is acceptable to you.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

We recognize there is an increase in challenges that—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

I'm sorry to interrupt you, Minister.

Here are some stats from your own home area. Shelter use has increased 44% from 2023 to 2024; shelters in your area are operating at 383% over capacity. The wait-list in Peel has more than doubled. Mississauga has publicly acknowledged rising homelessness as part of a growing housing affordability crisis.

According to your government data, one out of five people using shelters is over 50. Older adults have the highest rate of chronic homelessness in Canada. It's the fastest-growing homeless group.

Currently, 59% of Canadians now say they'll never retire.

Do these stats shock you, Minister?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

As I was saying earlier, the government is committed to building more homes more quickly. Specifically within the budget, the member would have seen $1 billion—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Minister, while you're reading pre-approved responses, Canadian women and seniors want and need answers to where they can live safely. Do you have an answer for them?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

If the member opposite would provide me with an opportunity, I'd be happy to give that answer.

What I was saying is that with our investments in housing, we have a commitment to doubling the rate of housing, specifically helping to make sure that those who are most vulnerable get access.

As for shelters, which are at the core of her questions, we have allocated $1 billion to make sure that transitional and shelter homes qualify for that funding across the country.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Minister, that's not answering my question. People are being forced out of home ownership. There aren't enough homes for them. Building houses in two years, three years, five years or 10 years won't help people with home ownership now. Many are becoming homeless.

I have an 84-year-old woman in my city who can no longer afford the high cost of living and had to go to a shelter. What would you say to this woman?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I would like to share with that senior that our government is committed to making sure that we're supporting seniors and that we are providing millions of seniors—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

What are her options now, Minister?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I'm happy to share those options.

With old age security, the guaranteed income supplement, the Canada pension plan and one of my favourite programs, the New Horizons for Seniors program, the government is there and committed to supporting seniors—

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Minister, is a shelter—

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

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I would really like to hear the minister finish answering one of the questions. I would really like to hear her answers.

Thank you.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

She's not answering.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I was saying that the government has raised old age security by 10% for seniors 75 years or older. If it were up to the Conservative Party of Canada, seniors would have to wait until the age of 67 to retire.

These supports we're providing, in addition to dental care across the country—