Status of Women

The committee studied section 810 of the Criminal Code and its role in addressing gender-based violence, intimate partner violence and femicide. Appearing were Bryan Larkin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Tricia Geddes, Deputy Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, alongside Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and Minister of Justice Sean Fraser.

Minister Anandasangaree outlined government measures including the gender-based violence strategy, red and yellow flag laws from Bill C-21, and firearms licence revocation for those suspected of domestic violence. He highlighted Bill C-14 on bail and sentencing and Bill C-16 on protecting victims, and noted that enforcement of section 810 peace bond breaches is a gap, as breaches are rarely prosecuted despite potential four-year sentences. He recommended collaboration on enforcement and regulation strengthening, and disagreed with Conservative claims that the firearms program targets lawful owners, citing the Mass Casualty Commission and women's organizations.

Bryan Larkin described RCMP challenges policing 80% of Canada's land mass, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities, where traditional arrest can require removing offenders from fly-in communities. He emphasized a shift toward victim-centric, trauma-informed training at Depot and community-based prevention, including an Indigenous-Inuit strategy. He noted that upstream social and health approaches are needed beyond policing, and disagreed with any suggestion that policing alone can resolve intimate partner violence.

Tricia Geddes noted significant federal investments through the national office to support victims and public safety, including Correctional Service of Canada programs for offenders and victims. She did not make specific recommendations or disagree with other witnesses.

Minister Fraser presented a three-pillar public safety strategy: stronger criminal laws, frontline investments, and upstream social investments. He highlighted Bill C-16's new offences for coercive control and femicide, and measures to address court delays under the Jordan framework by requiring courts to consider alternative remedies before staying charges. He recommended that the committee study extending peace bond durations beyond 12 months, noting Senate Bill S-205, and expressed openness to amendments on coercive control. He disagreed with Conservative assertions that prior Liberal bills caused rising crime, pointing to recent declines in homicide rates and arguing that mandatory minimums struck down by courts require a safety valve approach.

The committee agreed to set February 20 as the deadline for members to submit recommendations for amendments, rather than February 25, to allow more time for review.