Mr. Speaker, last week was National Elizabeth Fry Week.
In Peterborough and across Canada, Elizabeth Fry societies organized public events. The goal was to enhance public awareness and education regarding the circumstances of women involved in the criminal justice system. They hope to challenge and break down the negative stereotypes that exist about women who come into conflict with the law.
Elizabeth Fry Week is always the week before Mother's Day. This is not a coincidence as the majority of women who come into conflict with the law are mothers. Most of them were sole supporters of families when they were incarcerated. When mothers are sentenced to prison, children are sentenced to separation. That is why the focus this year was alternatives to incarceration.
I congratulate the Elizabeth Fry Society for its good work in our communities and wish it continued success as a driving force behind effective change in society.