Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: My question is for Senator Gold, of course. On May 13, the Supreme Court struck down section 33.1 of the Criminal Code, which stated that self-induced intoxication is not grounds for a verdict of not criminally responsible. The court’s decision was not well received by victims’ groups, women’s groups in particular. The Supreme Court also asked the federal government to create mechanisms to better protect victims.

We know this decision will affect women most of all, especially mothers and their children. Can you tell me what the government is planning to do about this and how soon it will take action to protect the victims the Supreme Court has abandoned?

Senator Boisvenu: Senator Gold, as I have previously said, 35% of the criminal cases before our courts have to do with intimate partner violence. From now on, a man who kills his wife while intoxicated will be able to plead not criminally responsible. Furthermore, many such criminals who were incarcerated will be released because of this.

Senator Gold, the provinces are fighting intimate partner violence by adopting Clare’s Law, and Quebec is implementing the use of electronic monitoring devices, so why hasn’t the government adopted a single measure since 2015 to protect women now that the Supreme Court has made this ruling?