As 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence began Monday, the NDP once again renewed pressure on the provincial government to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic, following a prior commitment earlier this year.
During a moment of silence at Queen’s Park to honour victims of domestic violence, the Ontario NDP called for an immediate declaration, sparking heated exchanges and a shouting match that led to the ejection of two members, including Housing Minister Paul Calandra and Dr. Jill Andrews who asked the Ford Government to once again make the move.
Andrews stressed the importance of releasing funding to help victims of IPV before it’s too late.
Conservative Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Charmaine Williams emphasized addressing root causes and cautioned against rushing the process.
However, NDP Leader Marit Stiles accused the government of stalling despite clear recommendations from a 2022 inquest into the 2015 Renfrew County murders of three women at the hands of their former partner. The first recommendation in that case was to declare IPV an epidemic in Ontario. 100 municipalities and counties have done so.
Premier Doug Ford expressed strong opposition to violence but did not commit to immediate action.
Critics argue the government is avoiding potential costs associated with declaring the epidemic.
You can learn more about the 16 days of activism here. (https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/16-days/16-days-2024.html)
