“We must not let these women die in vain.  We must ensure that this terrible day in our history serves as a reminder that we must do better, we must continue to raise the Canadian consciousness regarding violence against women.  We must take action and support prevention and outreach programs, including providing more housing to victims of spousal abuse and expanding gun control,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

“Unfortunately our current government appears to be moving backwards on the important issue of women’s rights, eliminating the court challenges program, canceling the national child-care program, reducing the reach of Status of Women Canada, and now undermining the gun registry,” said Adriane Carr, Deputy Leader.

The Green Party of Canada advocates breaking down barriers and advancing opportunities for women through poverty-eradication, a national affordable child care program, programs to eliminate the financial barriers to post-secondary education, programs for affordable housing and the adoption of a Genuine Progress Indicator that includes measures of unpaid and voluntary work by women. 

The Green Party of Canada also believes it is time to re-visit a major policy initiative — the use of a negative income tax, or Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) for all.  The use of a GLI could eliminate poverty and allow social services to concentrate on problems of mental health and addiction.

“Poverty and violence are two sides of a coin and both must be dealt with.  In a wealthy nation such as Canada, no one should have to live in poverty and no one should have to live in fear,” said May.