Ms. Libby Davies (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr Speaker the tragedy of the 65 missing women is the Downtown Eastside and 15 murder charges, raises deeply disturbing questions about the failure of our justice system. Systemic discrimination by police and federal laws that force these women into dangerous circumstances are key factors in their deaths, and for many more still at risk.
Will the minister responsible for the status of women tell us what her government will do to ensure there is a public inquiry and a review on policing and federal laws to end this violence and exploitation?
Hon. Jean Augustine (Secretary of Sate-Multiculturalism and Status of Women): Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the concern expressed. I think all Canadians are horrified by the present situation before us. We sympathize with the families of those women and at the same time we are looking at the process that is occurring in British Columbia. The police and RCMP are involved in that activity.
We are concerned about violence against women and children. We addressed that in several ways. This is a very serious issue that we as Status of Women Canada are reflecting upon.
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