To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:
WHEREAS 44% of Canadian women will experience some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) over their lifetime, and rates are higher for 2SLGBTQ+ women (67%), Indigenous women (61%), women living in poverty (57%), and women with disabilities (55%);
WHEREAS poverty, housing instability and job insecurity put women at higher risk of experiencing GBV, and financial dependency presents a major barrier to women leaving abusive relationships;
WHEREAS the Conservative government’s neglect and chronic disinvestment in community public services, shelter services and affordable childcare have increased economic instability and robbed women and families of critical supports;
WHEREAS 96% of workers in child care and 75% in community public services are women;
WHEREAS tens of thousands of these Ontario workers have seen their wages suppressed, and many are facing layoffs due to Conservative cuts, and
WHEREAS women’s economic security is deeply connected to their safety.
THEREFORE WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS: To implement the Official Opposition’s plan to combat gender-based violence by investing in social infrastructure, bolstering women’s economic security, and improving the services women count on in the community public sector and child care.