With the Ontario provincial election set for February 27, 2025, Lanark County Interval House and Community Support (LCIHCS) is calling on all candidates to take meaningful action against gender-based violence.
For 45 years, we have been at the forefront of supporting women and children fleeing violence in rural Eastern Ontario. Through education, counselling, advocacy, group support, and shelter-based services, we empower women to live lives free from violence. We have worked in partnership with local agencies, councils, corporations, and community members to create sustainable solutions, and we continue to push for systemic change at all levels of government.
But this election’s timeline does not prioritize the issues that matter most to Ontarians.
For those of us working to end violence, the demands are clear and non-negotiable.
What We Are Calling For
1. Declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) an Epidemic
The first recommendation of the Renfrew County triple femicide inquest called for Ontario to officially declare IPV an epidemic. Women need to hear that their experiences are valued, believed, and acted upon. It is critical that the provincial government take this step to show commitment to eradicating violence.
2. Appoint a Commissioner on Intimate Partner Violence
We need dedicated leadership to oversee IPV response, inform government policies, and drive meaningful change. This role must be independent and empowered to hold the government accountable.
3. Secure Stable Core Funding for Anti-Violence Agencies
Shelters and anti-violence organizations are first responders, yet funding remains unstable and fragmented. Agencies are forced to apply for short-term, competitive grants instead of receiving sustained, core funding that includes public education and prevention efforts. If prevention is a priority, funding must reflect that.
4. Build Safe and Affordable Housing
The housing crisis is directly linked to intimate partner violence. Women leaving abusive situations cannot find safe, affordable housing, putting them at risk of returning to unsafe conditions. The government must commit to:
✔ Investing in new builds, repairs, and maintenance
✔ Prioritizing housing-first models
✔ Ensuring rent remains affordable and accessible
5. Commit to “0 in 10” — Zero Femicides in 10 Years
A province-wide strategy must be developed to prevent femicide and protect at-risk women, including:
- Women with disabilities
- Immigrant and migrant women
- Indigenous women
- Women in rural and remote communities
This requires real forecasting, planning, and investment across all communities and sectors to make femicide prevention a reality.
Rural Communities Face Unique Barriers
Ending gender-based violence in Ontario means recognizing the additional challenges in rural areas, such as:
📶 Limited internet access and cell phone reception
🚗 Lack of public transportation
🏡 Geographic isolation
🚨 Longer crisis response times
These realities cannot be ignored. Rural women must be included in Ontario’s approach to violence prevention.
The Time for Action is Now
Women and children in Ontario cannot wait any longer. The solutions exist. The research has been done. The recommendations are clear. Now, we need political will.
