Ontario signs ‘historic’ agreement to end gender-based violence

A historic agreement between the federal and provincial government is working towards
a country free from gender-based violence.

The National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence is a 10-year framework to end gender-based violence and prioritize support for victims, survivors and their families.

The announcement came Wednesday from Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, who said the agreement would see an investment of $162 million over four years to support the implementation of the plan in Ontario.

“This historic agreement is about taking action against violence together, calling men and boys into the movement, and supporting frontline organizations to build a safer Canada for everyone.” says Ien.

ON just signed a bilateral agreement to advance the 10-year plan for a Canada free of #GBV. Min. Ien, #ON Min. Parsa and Assoc. Min. Williams announced $162M to help Ontario implement the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence.

Learn more: https://t.co/KSrmJhNAkw pic.twitter.com/02eqRt1xQ1

— Women and Gender Equality Canada (@WAGE_FEGC) November 15, 2023

It is a plan that the federal government says was developed through over 1,000 recommendations from frontline organizations, survivors, experts and Indigenous partners.

The agreement is set to aid the province in strengthening support sectors and those at risk of gender-based violence by enhancing existing programs and services.

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This will include expansions to Indigenous-led approaches that address the issue through healing, health, and wellness programming.

Wednesday’s announcement is among a series of bilateral agreements being signed between the federal government and provinces and territories across the country.

The federal government says that more than 11 million people in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence at least once since the age of 15.

In 2018, 44 per cent of women in Canada reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

Though comprising a mere 5 per cent of the female population in Canada, between the years of 2011 and 2021 Indigenous women and girls represented 21 per cent of all gender-related homicide victims.

Though Ontario has not officially declared intimate partner violence an epidemic, many municipalities have taken that step, including Burlington and Toronto.