Mr. Speaker, I have the honour of tabling a petition pursuant to Standing Order 26.
This petition signed by over 100 people deals with the provocation defence currently used in femicide, wife slaughter cases.
The petitioners point out that such a defence unjustly focuses the criminal trial from the behaviour of the accused to the behaviour of the victim. The petitioners indicate that the defence is not consistent with community values and with the requirement that males take responsibility for violent behaviour toward women.
The petitioners request that parliament review and change relevant provisions of the Criminal Code to ensure that men who act violently toward women take responsibilities for their actions.