No more delay when it comes to implementing the CKW inquest recommendations!
The first of 86 recommendations from the 2022 inquest into the murders of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam (CKW inquest) was for Ontario to formally declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic. In the nearly two years since the jury released the recommendations, survivors and their advocates have repeatedly called on the Ontario government to implement the numerous recommendations directed at them, starting with this important declaration. Last year there were 34 domestic violence deaths in Ontario. There were 2 victims last month alone. As of today, 94 municipalities have already taken the important step of declaring IPV an epidemic in their communities.
Bill 173
On March 7, 2024, Ontario NDP MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Kristyn Wong-Tam, Jill Andrew, and Peggy Sattler introduced Bill 173, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024, which would require the Ontario Government to recognize IPV as a provincial epidemic. The government supported the Bill at second reading and referred it to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy for, as described by MPP Christine Hogarth, “an in-depth study on all aspects with respect to intimate partner violence” so they can make recommendations to the government on how to address the issue. While we are pleased the government supported the Bill, what is needed right now is not an in-depth study by the Committee. We already know what needs to be done, which is to immediately declare IPV an epidemic and implement the other CKW inquest recommendations.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be posting about various CKW inquest recommendations that still need to be implemented by the provincial government. We simply cannot let these recommendations sit on a shelf any longer. Continuing to delay passing this Bill will only cause more harm to our communities.
More on declaring IPV an epidemic
It’s time for Ontario to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic (April 4, 2024 blog post)
The Agenda with Steve Paikin
Canadian Women’s Foundation Podcast Alright, Now What?
Toronto declares IPV an epidemic
Map of municipalities who have declared IPV an epidemic
Luke’s Place advocacy toolkit
CKW inquest recommendations
