Hon. Marilou McPhedran: This is a question to Senator Gold, please. It relates to announcements made recently about funding to deal with violence against Indigenous women and children.

The recent budget contained many ambitious promises, which are nice. However, implementation is what counts, and on this count the government track record is less than stellar. For example, this week, Ministers Miller and Hussen announced $103 million in funding for Indigenous women’s shelters. It is much needed, for sure, but this isn’t new money. It comes out of a $724‑million commitment previously made by the government in 2020, aimed at supporting Indigenous women and children facing gender-based violence. More than two and a half years later, it is reported that less than 5% of the original promised funds have been spent, without a single new shelter or house to show for it so far.

The need is acute. The danger is real. Indigenous women 15 years and older are 3.5 times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women.

Perhaps the ministers should more properly announce, “We don’t have any new money, but we are finally going to start investing the money we already promised years ago.”

As our colleague Senator Audette stated in response, it is an ongoing search for justice. At the current pace, it will take decades to implement this violence-prevention strategy.

Senator Gold, will this glacial pace continue? When will we see accelerated spending to implement promises made years ago to increase the safety of Indigenous women and children?

Senator McPhedran: Honourable senators, my question is related to the release in April 2021 of what was called the Roadmap for the National Action Plan on Violence Against Women and Gender-Based Violence.

Senator Manning, I just wondered if you could help us understand the very important points that you have raised with us tonight — and I also want to recognize the years of work and dedication that you have put into this. Can you give us a sense of where your bill would fit within this road map? It is described as requiring a 10-year plan. How does your bill, and the strategy that it focuses on, link with this national action plan?