I have tried to be completely generous in my comments, but I feel frustration. I am frustrated that the government has not done this. It's been two years since the justice committee recommended that coercive control be criminalized, and we had the ombudsperson recommend to the government criminalizing coercive control.
Every six days, a woman dies from intimate partner violence. Think about that. Of course, this will not prevent every act of femicide, but it will make a difference.
I am extremely disappointed that the government has not done this on its own. I am honoured to work with my colleague Mr. Garrison to bring this forward, but government bills go more quickly through the House. This could have been done two years ago. It needs to be done now. A government bill could also include things that would provide funding for frontline organizations and for victims who are going through the criminal justice system. It could provide the funding for the awareness campaign required if this is going to be successful.
I wish this government had done this already.