Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) tabled the reply to Question No. 169, dated June 23, 2022, appearing on the Order Paper and Notice Paper in the name of the Honourable Senator Carignan, P.C., regarding Bill C-28.

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, I have the honour to table the answers to the following oral questions:

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on June 9, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Boisvenu, concerning violence against women.

Response to the oral question asked in the Senate on September 27, 2022, by the Honourable Senator Plett, concerning Indigenous consultation.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu on June 9, 2022)

The safety of women and girls is a priority for the Government.

We are working to develop a National Action Plan to address gender-based violence that builds on the foundation laid out in our 2017 strategy. Budget 2022 announced over $539 million to support provinces and territories to implement the National Action Plan and Budget 2021 provided over $48 million for independent legal advice and representation programs for victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence.

In 2018, former Bill C-51 amended the Criminal Code to strengthen Canada’s sexual assault laws. In 2019, former Bill C-75 enacted amendments that strengthened criminal laws on intimate partner violence, with the goal of enhancing victim safety. In 2019, former Bill C-78 made changes to family laws, including several amendments to the Divorce Act to address family violence. Of note, the Divorce Act now includes a definition of family violence that is based on social science research and that refers to any conduct that is violent, threatening or a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour, or that causes a family member to fear for their safety. In 2021, former Bill C-3 enacted provisions to enhance judicial education on sexual assault law and social context.

(Response to question raised by the Honourable Donald Neil Plett on September 27, 2022)

The government met with Indigenous peoples in the context of Bill C-11 (Online Streaming Act). The Bill was introduced in February 2022, which is similar to former Bill C-10 passed in the House of Commons in June 2021. The government sought to respect the work of parliamentarians in the last session of Parliament.

As such, C-11 built on consultation and engagements with Indigenous partners, communities and stakeholders that contributed to the policy development of Bill C-10 through meetings as part of the Broadcasting and Legislative Review Panel (2018-2019), engagements in Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal and Vancouver in 2020, meetings with National Indigenous Organizations in 2021, as well as Indigenous industry stakeholders, such as the Indigenous Screen Office and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

When C-11 was tabled, the Department of Canadian Heritage met with National Indigenous Organizations. Further meetings are anticipated as the bill moves through Parliament.