Mr. Speaker, Selkirk Avenue in Winnipeg Centre is home to some of the most vibrant community organizations, but it is also home to some of the highest instances of violence and disappearances of indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The North End Women's Centre is located right at ground zero of this crisis.
Particularly since the pandemic, its staff have reported an increase in gender-based violence. To answer these escalating challenges, the centre has applied three times for federal funding to expand its drop-in centre programming spaces and transitional housing units, something I have repeatedly written to the government to support. The government has left the centre without any indication as to whether it will fund these desperately needed supports.
We cannot wait when lives are on the line. I urge the government to act immediately to fund the North End Women's Centre and uphold community health and safety in Winnipeg Centre.