Mr. Speaker, violence against women and children is a major recurring social and economic problem in our country.
On April 2, 2006 this fact was highlighted by the murder-suicide of the Mailly family of Cumberland. It appears that François Mailly killed his wife, Francine, and their three children, Jessica, Brandon and Kevin, set the house on fire and then took his own life.
Unfortunately, this type of tragedy is all too common in Canada. Studies have repeatedly shown that women are more at risk from violence in their own homes than they are in the street. It is time that we as a society recognized that the violence experienced by women and children is part of a wider social problem that requires specific attention.
All levels of government must commit to finding solutions and looking for ways to integrate violence prevention strategies in all our social programs.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Mailly family.