Domestic Violence (March 8)
Mr. Hehr: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One-third of homicides committed in Alberta are a result of domestic violence.
Every year over 12,000 women are forced to live in shelters while more than 14,000 are turned away because of lack of space. Yes, Mr. Speaker, you heard that correctly: 14,000 women fleeing from abuse are turned away every year. To the Premier: when will this government take action to help the 14,000 women who are unable to be accommodated in shelters?
Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, not only has the budget increased for housing and accommodation; there are dollars put into a number of areas. One is to get the message across to many Albertans in terms of the physical and verbal abuse within families, especially towards women and their children. There are many not-for-profit agencies that have undertaken the education process in this province. But we will continue to keep ensuring that we work with agencies, that there is appropriate housing, and provide comfort for those that have been abused by their families.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Hehr: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that the message is getting out there, but it is awful slowly. We need to do something for those 14,000 women who are fleeing violence right now. In that regard, why aren’t we increasing our operational funding right now to improve more shelter space to help these 14,000 women fleeing these horrible, horrible situations today?
Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, having attended many of the fundraising events that raise funds to supplement those that are provided by government to the various agencies providing housing, counselling, and protection and in speaking to the president, she was quite satisfied in terms of the direction the government is taking and the increase in funding. We’ll continue to do that in spite of the fact that, you know, our resources are constrained. But this is a serious matter. We take it very seriously. Yes, education will help, but there are other ways of intervening to ensure that women are protected in their own homes.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Hehr: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know money is tight right now, but if this government is looking for money, we can always look to the $50 million that is ready and able to help people in the victims of crime fund. Why isn’t this money being put to use right now to help these 14,000 women who are fleeing domestic violence situations?
Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, I’m not responsible for the fund, but the minister that is responsible can certainly answer the question. Mr. Oberle: Mr. Speaker, the member will know that we have allocated millions of dollars to help victims of crime. The surplus in the fund is required to achieve stabilization. Nonetheless, my department is looking at it, and we’ll report in due time.
Alberta Hansard, March 8, 2010