Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

This committee has talked a great deal about the “red flag” measure. We've had experts come and tell us more about the issue, particularly the impact the measure could have on people's lives. I must say that at first glance, it looked like a promising measure that would protect women. So I was very surprised when I heard women tell the committee that it wouldn't help them any more, and even that it could be harmful to them.

I want to read an excerpt from a letter the National Association of Women and the Law sent to the Minister of Public Safety on May 16, 2022, specifically addressing the “red flag” measure:

There is no support for downloading or eroding the responsibility of law enforcement and other government officials to implement gun laws. They are, and must remain, responsible and accountable for ensuring that firearms licenses are denied and revoked when there are potential risks to women. Citizens or other organizations, much less potential victims, should not be expected to put themselves at risk by going to court to request action that should be immediate and within the direct responsibility of police. It is widely recognized that women are in greatest danger during and after separation. Shifting the onus of enforcement to women and third parties, as Bill C‑21's “Red Flag” provisions attempt to do, is a guaranteed route to increased fatality. We do support efforts to use all mechanisms currently available in the system, coupled with additional powers and community education, to identify risks and to expeditiously remove firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or any other person.

What this association is trying to say is that we currently have tools available to women and they do not need this additional tool, this “red flag” type of measure proposed in Bill C‑21.

They provide the following examples:

In the cases of the Portapique massacre, the Desmond family shooting and many other cases...people were aware of patterns of threats and violence against women. In some cases, police were in fact notified, but no action was taken. If women's safety is of genuine concern to your government, the following specific measures and interventions are required...

Most of the measures outlined by the National Association of Women and the Law are already in place. I'm going to save you the trouble of reading all of this, but I would encourage my colleagues, particularly those in the Liberal Party, to read the concerns that the association voices and the recommendations it makes.

This letter was written on behalf of several other organizations, which I want to take the time to mention. These are recognized organizations from all over Quebec and Canada. These individuals work directly with women who may be affected. They are on the ground and know the situation well, so I feel these are the individuals we need to listen to. They are YWCA Toronto, the Canadian Women's Foundation, Luke's Place Support and Resource Centre for Women and Children, Women's Shelter Canada, Calgary Legal Guidance, the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund, the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action and the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. The letter was endorsed by many other organizations, such as the National Council of Women of Canada.

In addition, PolyRemembers made it clear to us how harmful this measure might be to women.

I want to clearly state that this is why the Bloc Québécois will be voting against all clauses of this bill that deal with the “red flag” measure. Since clause 4 is the first that deals with it, I wanted to say it now.

Kristina Michaud

$653,848.00