Mr. Speaker, as the status of women critic for the NDP, I am here to ask the Conservative government to step up and act to end violence against women.

The Conservatives claim that ending violence against women is a top priority, yet when given the opportunity to take action, they refuse. There is a pandemic of missing and murdered aboriginal women, but the government has yet to launch a public inquiry or commit to action.

The list goes on. Just yesterday, yet another former RCMP officer came forward seeking justice after being sexually assaulted on the job. When the Conservatives had the opportunity to give direction, they refused.

The Conservatives must face a harsh fact: women are still subject to violence in Canada because they are women.

That is why I have submitted Motion 444 for consideration, calling on the government to develop, in collaboration with the provinces, territories, civil society and first nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, a coordinated national action plan to address violence against women.

Violence against women is not just a women's issue, it affects all Canadians. I urge the government to heed the NDP call to work to end it.