The National Council of Women of Canada welcomes the introduction of Bill C-16 the Protecting Victims Act, proposed legislation aimed at strengthening safeguards for victims and ensuring the safety of children from sexual predators. We view this as an important step toward reinforcing the justice system’s responsibility to protect those most vulnerable in our society.
For over 132 years, the NCWC has advocated for measures that uphold the dignity, safety, and rights of women, children, and families. While the Protecting Victims Act represents progress, much more remains to be done to address the systemic nature of gender-based violence in Canada. The ongoing crisis of femicide — the gender-motivated killing of women and girls — demands urgent legal recognition, and we are especially pleased to see that this Bill includes having femicide explicitly included in the Criminal Code of Canada, in order to ensure that these crimes are named, tracked, and prosecuted with the gravity they deserve.
Any legislative commitment must be matched by implementation and enforcement— governments at all levels must ensure that the policies, funding, and justice mechanisms are in place to protect potential victims, hold offenders accountable, and prevent further violence.
The NCWC will continue to advocate for comprehensive legislative reform and systemic action to end gender-based violence, including non-State torture. Our efforts remain focused on protecting vulnerable individuals, including children, and ensuring justice for all victims. We urge Parliament to move swiftly to adopt the Protecting Victims Act.