Thank you so much.
Through you, Madam Chair, it's really important that all levels play their part when it comes to housing. We talked about the different types of housing that are needed, such as the housing that is suitable for shelters and transitional housing of all types and in all areas, whether they're in large cities and urban settings or in our rural, remote and northern communities.
I didn't get a chance to say this in my opening statement, but I would very much ask for the committee's support.... Federal budget 2025 committed $1 billion to Build Canada Homes for transitional and supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. For women, housing insecurity and gender-based violence are intertwined issues. We see that in the work we do. Not only does gender-based violence force women and their children out of their homes, but women without housing also experience higher rates of violence, with homeless women experiencing some of the highest rates.
It is our understanding, through the Minister of WAGE, Minister Valdez, that she is actively in conversation with the housing minister about applying the Build Canada Homes fund to address issues with women's shelters, as well as to transitional housing for GBV survivors. We encourage the committee to fully support this approach, and we would encourage every level of government to be involved.
When we have our shelters running over capacity—most of them are actually providing more space than they have bed space and they are funded to provide—it really shows you that this is a crisis situation and needs the coordination of all levels.