Nanaimo-Ladysmith NDP MP Sheila Malcolmson had the honour of making one of the very first Member’s statements in the House of Commons today.
Malcolmson is the NDP’s status of women critic and her statement came on the heels of Sunday’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada.
The Ecole Polytechnique massacre happened 26 years ago, but Malcolmson says violence against women remains unacceptably high in Canada.
She says the NDP will support the government’s promise to implement a national action plan to fight gender-based violence. Malcolmson said organizations like Nanaimo’s Haven Society need adequate funding to help victims.
Malcolmson says the national action plan needs to be backed by dedicated funding and clear benchmarks.
The NDP is also calling on the Liberals to restore the Shelter Enhancement Program to ensure women have a safe place to go when fleeing domestic violence.
