Mr. Speaker, terror struck the town of St. Jean-sur-Richelieu yesterday when Ginette Samson was murdered by her husband as she slept in a women's shelter.
Shelters are supposed to be secret havens for women and children escaping abuse. Yesterday was the ultimate violation. How did this happen? How did he find his wife? Most important, what can we do to provide the needed protection for abused women?
Spousal homicides are far too common in our society. There are on average 100 spousal killings a year in Canada. This is horrendous. We have a duty to provide the necessary protection to the most vulnerable in our society.
I have introduced Private Member's Bill C-494, the new identities act, which would bring those spouses and their children in life threatening situations under the services of the witness protection program. I urge all members to support this important cause.
I only hope that the tragic death of Ginette Samson is the last time a person is murdered in this country trying to flee an abusive spouse.