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On May 5 and 6, Unifor took to Queen’s Park to urge Ontario MPPs to pass Bill 55 and declare intimate partner violence (IPV) an epidemic.
In Canada, one woman is killed by an intimate or former intimate partner every six days. Declaring IPV an epidemic is an essential first step to put life-saving measures in place.
“Intimate partner violence continues to be a public emergency in Ontario and across the country,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “That’s why, we are continuing to pressure provincial governments to recognize this crisis for what it is: an epidemic.”
Over two days, members met with 23 MPPs and leaders from across Ontario to advocate for the adoption of Bill 55, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2025.
The Act would require the Government of Ontario to recognize that IPV is an epidemic and establish a Renfrew County Inquest Implementation committee to consider the 86 recommendations issued in June 2022 by the Office of the Chief Coroner’s Jury Inquest into the Renfrew County triple femicide of 2015.
The Act would also require oversight of the government’s progress implementing the Committee’s recommendations.
“Intimate partner violence profoundly impacts Unifor members and workers across the province and the country,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “Provinces have a responsibility to mobilize the resources necessary to address this crisis.”
In lobby meetings, members amplified the stories of victims and survivors, sharing stories about the impact of IPV in their workplaces and communities.
In addition to meetings at Queen’s Park, members also participated in a Red Dress Day Ceremony, in recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Girls and Two-Spirit People.
Unifor continues to urge all provinces to make the declaration that intimate partner violence is an epidemic. In September 2024, Nova Scotia became the first province to make the declaration when the legislation unanimously passed all stages in a single day, following a powerful press conference by Unifor members.
In June 2025, following a Unifor-hosted IPV symposium, New Brunswick also passed a unanimous motion to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic.
Designating IPV an epidemic underscores the severity of the crisis, promotes public awareness, and advocates a comprehensive, coordinated response from public health authorities and policymakers.
Tell your provincial representative to declare intimate partner violence by sending a letter using our online tool: unifor.org/endIPV.
