The Ford government has announced they plan to support an NDP bill that would declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
The NDP had urged the province to support Bill 173, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act and it was expected to be debated Wednesday in the legislature.
The revelation received a rare standing ovation from all parties in the legislature when announced by Government House Leader Paul Calandra.
“In fact, we will be going a step further, Mr. Speaker … the premier has asked that we seek the advice of the standing committee on justice to do an in-depth study on all of the aspects, with respect to intimate partner violence, both the current programs that are available, some of the root causes of it, and how we can do better in the province of Ontario,” Calandra said.
Last June, the province rejected calls from an inquest into the deaths of three women at the hands of their former partner to formally declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
The jury at a coroner’s inquest into the 2015 deaths of Nathalie Warmerdam, Carol Culleton and Anastasia Kuzyk in Renfrew County made that recommendation one year ago Wednesday, along with 85 others aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
The province said at the time it would not declare intimate partner violence an epidemic because it was not an infectious or communicable disease.
“We need every tool available to put an end to intimate partner violence and gender-based violence,” said NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam who co-sponsored the bill with NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky.
“It’s a very important first step for the government to actually call it what it is and to say to those all those people that, ‘We see you.’ and to shed light on it,” shared Gretzky. “People live in shame and fear when they are victims of intimate partner violence or gender-based violence, this is the government saying, ‘We see you, we acknowledge you and we want to help.’”
Gretzky said the declaration is key to ensuring the social services working to prevent gender-based violence gets the support they need.
“In order to continue to build the movement to push the government in the right direction in order to make sure that they are properly funding the supports and services that that the survivors need,” added Gretzky.
In a press conference prior to the Ford government’s show of support for the bill, the mother of a woman who was allegedly killed by her husband, Fartumo Kusow, urged the province to take this necessary step forward.
“By declaring such, we communicate this issue demands our utmost attention and resources and the commitment to change. Declaring intimate partner violence as epidemic is not merely a symbolic act, it’s a critical step toward the mobilizing a comprehensive and coordinated effort to address it’s root cause, support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Advocates have been calling on the province to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic for years and follow in the footsteps of over 90 municipalities, including Toronto.
Cait Alexander felt mixed emotions upon hearing the government’s pledge to declare domestic violence, which disproportionately affects women, an epidemic.
“I was in tears because it is a step forward,” she said. “However, I want to see it in writing and I want more action. All this talk is not action.”
Alexander was nearly killed by her ex-boyfriend three years ago, she said. His attempted murder charge was stayed, however, because it didn’t reach trial fast enough. The case fell apart because the province’s court system remains overburdened, she said.
“The government failed me,” she said. “We don’t need another study, just talk to us for five minutes.”
The declaration is not just symbolic, said Erin Lee, the executive director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support, who testified at the inquest into the three women’s deaths in Renfrew County.
“It’s critical for victims, family members, survivors and those who are living isolated to hear a loud and clear message that they are heard, they are believed, and they’re being responded to by the government of Ontario,” she said.
According to the federal government, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada between 2011 and 2021, 66 per cent of which were perpetrated by an intimate partner.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact the following helplines:
Assaulted Women’s Helpline Crisis Line:
- TOLL-FREE: 1-866-863-0511
- TOLL FREE TTY: 1-8666-863-7868
- #SAFE (#7233) on your Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus Mobile
Senior Safety Line
TOLL-FREE: 1-866-299-1011
Shelter Safe
TOLL-FREE: 1-800-668-6868
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse 24/7 Crisis Line
TOLL-FREE: 1-866-887-0015
Ontario 24/7 Community and Social Services Helpline
TOLL-FREE: 211