Mr. Speaker, I will try to do something in three and a half minutes on a subject that I am sure everyone understands is in my wheelhouse as the status of women critic for the Bloc Québécois.
I want to mention that this debate is taking place during the 12 days of action to end violence against women, which run from November 25 to December 6, the day when, unfortunately, people will commemorate the tragic femicide that occurred at École Polytechnique 36 years ago. Let us wear the white ribbon proudly.
I will start with some statistics. I will then quickly go over Quebec's demands and close with what the Standing Committee on the Status of Women is currently studying.
According to Statistics Canada, since 2015, the number of sexual offences has increased from 57 to 87 per 100,000 population. That is a 52% increase. During that same period in Quebec, the number of assaults rose from 45 to 98 per 100,000 population. That is a 119% increase. Those are big numbers.
Here are some more statistics: 50% of female victims lose their job or have to change jobs as a result of violence. Every year, more than 80,000 women and children use shelters. During these days of action to end violence against women, I would like to recognize everyone who works for a shelter or an organization to help women victims of violence. Their work in the community is essential.
In terms of police and court statistics, in 40% of cases, the violent partner has a prior criminal record involving violence. Less than 20% of domestic violence charges result in a major conviction. During the study that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women is currently conducting, we have learned that conditions related to section 810 of the Criminal Code are used in nearly 25% of cases, but in 60% of femicides, at least one prior complaint or report had been made.
As my colleague from Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj explained so well, we understand that this situation is urgent. We welcome the bill introduced by the member for Lethbridge. We will study it in committee. We need to understand what is behind these statistics. Is it because of the #MeToo movement? We have to see whether that will really help fight this kind of crime. We have some concerns. For example, the Criminal Code already provides for consecutive sentences. We will have to look at that.
In Quebec, we worked hard on the report entitled “Rebâtir la confiance”, or rebuilding trust. We have been trailblazers when it comes to combatting violence against women. We have specialized courts. We introduced electronic bracelets. I recently had a discussion with the member for Sherbrooke. I have also been in contact with the Quebec minister responsible for the status of women. Although Quebec has made progress on this issue, both of them are calling on Ottawa to do one thing urgently: to recognize coercive control in the Criminal Code. That is the priority request at the moment, because it would give police an additional tool.
Right now, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women is looking into concerns related to the justice system. We studied the issue of section 810 conditions, and I agreed, in collaboration with the Conservatives, to also look at bail conditions. Right now, we are studying the causes. I see that as important.
I will conclude on this final point. We need to ask ourselves why the anti-feminist movement and masculinism are gaining so much momentum. This is leading to real violence against women. We need to look at this issue as holistically as possible.
I hope I will have a chance to talk more about that one day.