The Nova Scotia NDP has taken a big step in the fight against domestic violence.
The party tabled a bill in the legislature Thursday, to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
The NDP say the bill had all party support.
In a statement, Leader Claudia Chender says there is still more work to be done.
“This bill serves as an important first step to recognize intimate partner violence as the epidemic it is and validate the experiences of survivors.”
It is one of the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC).
Chender adds that domestic violence is a “deep rooted problem that touches every corner of our province.”
“For too long, survivors have suffered in silence due to stigma. With this legislation, we will uplift their voices and continue to advocate for them.”
The party says Nova Scotia has the highest rates of anywhere in Canada, with over 30 per cent of women and 22.5 of men who had been in a relationship, reported being physically or sexually assaulted by an intimate partner.
Backed by union
Unifor is applauding the bill.
Atlantic Regional Director, Jennifer Murray says, too many Nova Scotians experience this issue and the scale of it needs to be appropriately acknowledged.
“Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic would show that government is ready to take action and allocate resources to address this public health crisis. We’re happy to see this brought to the Nova Scotia legislature today.”
Chair of the Unifor Atlantic Regional Women’s Committee, Koren Beaman says, words from the premier are one thing, but to act on them, is another.
“We need a coordinated whole-of-society approach that supports the work of advocates and service providers and that sends a clear message that government takes the lives and well-being of all Nova Scotians seriously.”
Minister stepped down
This move comes months after former Justice Minister Brad Johns handed in his resignation after he received backlash when he said domestic violence was not an epidemic.
It was on the anniversary of Portapique.
He told reporters there were bigger problems such as drugs and guns. Those comments prompted calls for his resignation from women’s groups across the province and both the Liberals and NDP.
Four years ago, on April 19 and 20, Gabriel Wortman began a murderous rampage which began after assaulting his common law partner, it ended with the death of 22 people and became the largest mass shooting in our country’s history.
An inquiry into the devastating events that unfolded over 13 hours in 2020 called for intimate partner violence to be declared an epidemic among 130 recommendations.
Similar moves across Canada
The NDP says a similar piece of legislation, as the one tabled today, from the Ontario NDP is making its way through that province’s legislature.
It passed second reading in April, with support from their PC government.
The New Democrats say they also continue to call on the Houston government to expand paid leave for intimate partner violence to five days up from three.
This follows B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, and other jurisdictions across the country.
-with files from Steve MacArthur
