moved that Bill S-242, An Act respecting national action for the prevention of intimate partner violence, be read the first time.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise in the House to introduce Bill S-242, an act respecting national action for the prevention of intimate partner violence, also known as Georgina's Law.
This is an initiative by our colleague Senator Fabian Manning, who decided to take action after meeting with Georgina McGrath, a survivor of domestic violence.
This bill proposes that the government pursue, on a permanent basis, national action to combat violence against women and intimate partner violence, while also—and this is important to emphasize—requiring accountability for its performance.
Here are some statistics. In Quebec, there have already been 10 femicides since January alone. Across Canada, a woman or girl is killed every 48 hours in an act of gender-based violence. There has been a 76% increase in sexual assault in Canada. We are facing a national crisis affecting women.
Bill S-242 will serve as the guiding principle that brings together every province, every territory, and every community so that everyone can mobilize, unite, and overcome this challenge.
Bill S-242 is another tool in our arsenal for protecting women.
(Motion deemed adopted and bill read the first time)