City Declares Gender-Based Violence Epidemic

Summary#

Toronto City Council approved a motion declaring gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) an “epidemic” in the city. The motion mainly sets the City’s position, asks other governments and municipal bodies to act, and directs City staff to find practical ways to put the declaration into action. The broad goal is to recognize the scale of GBV/IPV, press for stronger measures across governments, and improve prevention and support in Toronto.

Key changes:

• Declares GBV and IPV an epidemic in Toronto (a formal statement; not a new law).
• Urges Ontario and the federal government to also declare an epidemic and to implement 85 inquest recommendations from the 2015 Renfrew County femicides.
• Asks national and provincial municipal associations (FCM and AMO) to recognize the epidemic.
• Advocates adding the term “femicide” (the killing of women and girls because they are female) to the Criminal Code of Canada.
• Requests provincial and federal support and funding to address GBV/IPV.
• Directs the City Manager, with Toronto Public Health and other divisions, to identify how to act on the declaration through community safety and well-being plans and to consider meaningful investments.
• Forwards the decision to Toronto MPs and MPPs and Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity.

What it means for you#

• Most residents:

  • There is no immediate change to local laws, policing powers, or services. This is a policy direction and advocacy step.
  • You may see more public messaging, coordination, or future program proposals related to GBV/IPV.

• People experiencing GBV/IPV, and their families:

  • The City formally recognizes GBV/IPV as a serious public health and safety issue.
  • This could lead to stronger prevention efforts, better access to supports, and future funding proposals, but the motion does not set new programs or benefits right away.

• Community organizations and service providers:

  • The City asks staff to work with public health, social development, Indigenous affairs, and human resources to “actualize” the declaration.
  • This could mean more collaboration, planning, data work, and potential future investments aligned with existing City initiatives (such as community safety and gender equity plans).

• City staff and divisions:

  • Direction to review current plans (e.g., community safety, public health, gender equity, reconciliation initiatives) and propose practical steps and investments to prevent GBV/IPV and support survivors.

• Other governments:

  • Formal requests for the Province and Ottawa to declare an epidemic, implement related inquest recommendations, add “femicide” to the Criminal Code, and provide resources.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

• The motion itself does not approve new funding. It asks staff to consider investments and to seek support from other governments.
• Preparing plans, coordination, and reporting will likely require staff time.
• Any new or expanded services would need future budget approvals.

Proponents' View#

• The motion appears intended to recognize GBV/IPV as a widespread public health and safety problem and to catalyze action across governments.
• Supporters who wrote to Council (including Aura Freedom International, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, YWCA Toronto, WomanACT, and EVA Renfrew) argued that:
  • Declaring an epidemic validates survivors’ experiences and signals urgency.
  • It aligns with the first recommendation of the Renfrew County inquest and supports implementing the rest of the inquest’s roadmap to prevent femicide.
  • Toronto’s leadership could encourage other governments to act and unlock resources.
  • Clear naming of the problem is a needed first step that can lead to better prevention, coordination, and supports.

Opponents' View#

• No publicly available information on formal opposition in the supplied material.
• Potential concerns based on the motion’s design:
  • The declaration is largely symbolic unless followed by specific funding, timelines, and measurable actions.
  • The motion directs staff to “consider” investments but does not set amounts, deadlines, or performance targets; how success will be measured is unclear.
  • Key elements (like adding “femicide” to the Criminal Code and broader inquest implementation) depend on federal and provincial decisions outside City control.
  • Future actions could require significant funding and staff time, which may compete with other city priorities if higher-level funding does not materialize.