MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OTTAWA, Thursday, May 2, 2024 (95) [English] The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology met this day at 11:30 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Ratna Omidvar, presiding. Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Bernard, Burey, Cordy, Cormier, Dasko, McPhedran, Mégie, Moodie, Omidvar, Petitclerc and Seidman (11). Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Manning, Oudar and Pate (3). Participating in the meeting: Mayra Perez -Leclerc and Diana Ambrozas, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, June 1, 2023, the committee continued its study of Bill S- 249,

An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence. WITNESSES: Canadian Centre for Men and Families: Justin Trottier, National Executive Director; Craig Thompson, Ottawa Executive Director. WomenatthecentrE: Nicole Taylor, Program Director; Gifty Asare, Director of Research and Community Impact. Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime: Benjamin Roebuck, Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime.

Safe Centre of Peel: Sharon Mayne, Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Family Services Peel-Dufferin; Shelina Jeshani, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration. Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale: Louise Riendeau, Co-Lead, Political Issues (by videoconference). PARTNERS Family Services: Hayley Kennedy, Executive Director (by videoconference) . Justin Trottier, Nicole Taylor, Gifty Asare and Benjamin Roebuck each made a statement and answered questions. At 12:30 p.m., the committee suspended. At 12:35 p.m., the committee resumed.

Sharon Mayne, Shelina Jeshani, Louise Riendeau and Hayley Kennedy each made a statement and answered questions. At 1:29 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair. ATTEST: Ericka Dupont Clerk of the Committee