Mr. Speaker, Canadians know that strong families make a strong country and that we must pursue appropriate initiatives to build that strength. These initiatives also include mitigating problems which undermine and weaken the family such as alcohol abuse.
Tragically, 50 per cent of family violence, 65 per cent of child abuse and one in six family breakdowns in Canada are all directly or indirectly due to alcohol misuse.
The consequences of family violence and child abuse are devastating and long lasting. However, this is a societal problem which requires the resolve of both men and women working together to identify and eliminate the root causes of family violence.
Reducing family violence means healthier families, improved outcomes of our children, lower health care costs, lower social program costs, safer communities and stronger families.
Finally, strong families make Canada strong. Therefore I call on members of Parliament to pursue initiatives to restore the strength of the traditional Canadian family.