Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to thank the two witnesses, Ms. Lee and Ms. Champagne, for joining us today.
We are conducting this study at a time when we're hearing more and more about inflation and the cost of living, which are affecting women in all sorts of ways. This morning, I attended the presentation of Food Banks Canada's poverty report card, during which I was reminded how much harder it is to make ends meet, given the rising cost of living.
We know the connection to women who are victims of violence, because if they feel they won't be able to house and feed their families if they leave a cycle of domestic violence and go to a shelter, they will hesitate to do so, not knowing what lies ahead for them.
I'd like to revisit some questions that you were previously asked. To me, the figures I saw this morning confirm that it is difficult to break the cycle of violence right now, given the current inflationary environment.
Do you agree with that observation?