FEWO Committee Report

Bloc Québécois Complementary Opinion

First, we would like to mention that we do not question the need for the Standing Committee on the Status of Women to address the important issue of intimate partner violence. On the contrary, we believe that the study of this issue was essential. Especially since the pandemic and the current social context have exacerbated violence of all kinds, especially intimate partner violence. The social isolation of vulnerable populations caused by the pandemic has only aggravated an already problematic situation. Indeed, we have seen a dramatic increase in feminicide across the country over the past two years. 

Equality between men and women has always been a central value at the heart of the Quebec social model, and intimate violence against women is a consequence of the negation - conscious or not - of this principle. The ultimate goal of this study was therefore to find concrete solutions to present to the federal government in light of the various testimonies.

However, the Bloc Québécois believes that the report tabled completely disregards respect for Quebec's jurisdictions since the Quebec government is already working, in consultation with community groups, to develop different coherent health and social services policies, focused on education, rehabilitation and justice. The network is in place, but resources are lacking. Quebec must remain in charge of the main measures, since they must be effective, targeted and coherent in order to avoid duplicating funds as much as possible.

If some say that this is not the time for jurisdictional wars, we say that this is not the time for duplication and ineffective measures. Both levels of government have complementary roles and must work together to address violence. Quebec and the provinces are responsible for the prevention aspect, education, professional orders, health care and social services, legal personnel under Quebec law and police forces (provincial and municipal), and the administration of justice under their laws.

However, the federal government holds the reins of the Criminal Code and the administration of criminal justice, including the supervision and management of prison sentences in penitentiaries, parole and statutory release.

One cannot be done without the other, and efforts must be coordinated. That is why it is imperative that governments work together to consider how best to adapt the Criminal Code to make provincial policies and laws more effective.

Finally, the conclusions and recommendations of this report should be limited to the areas of jurisdiction of federal legislators and thus avoid interference in the exclusive jurisdictions of the provinces. In this sense, it is undeniable that the federal government has a role to play in addressing the major issue of intimate partner violence. Indeed, it must act on the issue of strengthening the Criminal Code and on the training of judges with respect to intimate partner violence, but, above all, on the issue of federal health transfers in order to adequately fund the health and social services systems of the provinces and Quebec, which is, let's not forget, a unanimous demand of all the provinces.