The committee at Queen’s Park investigating intimate partner violence has encountered an unexpected obstacle. During a meeting, NDP MPPs abruptly left while the final report was being drafted and reviewed in a closed-door session. The NDP members did not provide specific details for their departure but issued a statement to reporters afterward.
Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) stated that maintaining integrity, accountability, and respect for survivors compelled them to withdraw from the government’s report-writing process. The NDP intends to create a dissenting report to ensure survivors’ voices are recognized and advocate for necessary changes.
The decision to withdraw was not made lightly, according to Wong-Tam, expressing disappointment over the handling of the study, which commenced in early 2024. The government’s commitment to completing the study was reiterated by Ravneet Gill, a spokesperson for the government house leader’s office, emphasizing the importance of honoring the shared experiences of victims and advocates.
The study was initiated following the introduction of Bill 173 by the NDP in April 2024, which proposed recognizing intimate partner violence as an epidemic in Ontario. Front-line service providers, advocates, and survivors have urged Premier Doug Ford’s administration to declare an epidemic, believing it would draw attention to the crisis and prompt additional support and preventive measures.
Despite calls for declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic, the government opted to establish a committee to study the issue and make recommendations. However, the process was interrupted by a late January election, leading to unresolved commitments such as allowing the committee to visit various communities.
During legislative debates, Charmaine Williams, the associate minister of women’s social and economic opportunity, advocated for referring to intimate partner violence as “endemic” rather than “an epidemic.” Williams argued that “endemic” accurately reflects the persistent and systemic nature of gender-based violence, emphasizing the need for sustained action.
The committee, which heard from numerous experts and survivors, was scheduled to convene again but was later canceled without explanation. The final report is set for public release by December 10, initially in English with a French version to follow. Sami Pritchard, from YWCA Toronto, stressed the urgency of ending violence, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of individuals affected by intimate partner violence.