Senator Boisvenu: Senator Gold, not only does your government plan to cut $145 million in funding this September, but it is also passing legislation that puts women’s safety at risk by allowing abusers to be in close proximity to their victims. I am referring to Bill C-5, which was passed.

Will your government commit to cancelling the $145-million budget cut planned for this September, yes or no?

Hon. Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu: Senator Gold, on April 29, we learned from Radio-Canada that your government plans to cut $145 million in funding for the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale in September.

I spoke to the managers of this network of women’s shelters, and they told me that many shelters across the country will have to close their doors or drastically reduce the number of women they take in.

Senator Gold, given that the number of women who were murdered by an intimate partner rose by 20% in Canada between 2019 and 2022, do you think that this decision on the part of your government shows respect for women who are the victims of violence, yes or no?