Stiles: Time to call intimate partner violence what it is – an epidemic

Following the tragic and horrific loss of five people, including three children, as a result of intimate partner violence in Sault Ste. Marie, Official Opposition NDP Leader Marit Stiles urgently called on Premier Ford to take action and declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.

“Tragically, gender-based violence and femicide is on the rise, and we are long overdue for urgent change. A report from July of this year found that 30 women were killed in 30 weeks.

68 out of 86 recommendations from the Renfrew Inquest fall under provincial jurisdiction. It is shameful that the Ford government not only rejected many of these recommendations, but also chose to not declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.

We don’t have time to waste. We should be doing everything we can to prevent even one more death from intimate partner violence.”

• Author
• Recent Posts

Ontario NDP

The Ontario New Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. The Ontario NDP, led by Andrea Horwath since March 2009, currently forms the Official Opposition in Ontario following the 2018 general election.

Latest posts by Ontario NDP (see all)

• First Nations leaders and Ontario NDP demand public inquiry into Ford government’s wildfire response - July 31, 2026
• Les députés néo-démocrates dénoncent les pénuries de personnel dans les équipes de lutte contre les feux des forêts sous le gouvernement Ford - July 31, 2026
• NDP MPPs slam Ford and his Ministers for wildland firefighting crew shortages - July 28, 2026