Senator Moreau, I thank you for your consistent attention to challenges facing women.

From November 25 to December 10, the entire world is uniting to speak out against violence against women and femicide in particular.

The 2024 police-reported crime statistics published by Statistics Canada on July 22, 2025, show an alarming rise in femicide in Canada, with an annual total of 198 victims.

Femicide is the most serious violation of women’s rights, the right to life, and yet it is not currently recognized as a separate offence.

Lawyers and experts are now recommending that Canada amend its Criminal Code to create a separate offence to differentiate femicide from other types of homicide in order to better prevent and punish such crimes. What does the government intend to do?

Thank you for what you said at the beginning of your question. That is very kind. I’m very mindful of these types of situations and all the measures that could be put in place to prevent violence against women.

You asked the Minister of Justice a question when he appeared before the Senate. The government has expressed its clear intention to amend the Criminal Code to prevent certain situations and respond to several challenges that disproportionately affect women, including sexual violence, intimate partner violence and coercive control, which as you know, is a concept that was recently recognized by the Supreme Court.

To follow up on the government’s promises, Bill C-14 already sets out amendments regarding sexual violence, and I reaffirm the government’s intention to make some of the amendments to the Criminal Code that you mentioned would be a good idea.

My question was about femicide, not sexual abuse.

Numerous femicides occur after warning signs have been ignored. Many victims had previously reported threats or domestic violence without receiving any protection. Nearly 40% of women killed had previously sought help.

What immediate measures does the government intend to put in place to protect women, especially those who have already reported threats?

Obviously, when it comes to immediate measures, we’ll have to see what provisions will be added and what changes will be made to the Criminal Code. For now, you can appreciate why I’m somewhat reluctant to answer these questions, since I don’t have the text of the law in front of me.

To answer your question directly, the government is introducing additional funding of up to $223 million to strengthen the federal government’s various actions, including against gender-based violence.

The government is in the process of reviewing and integrating the recommendations of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime on survivors—