PHSSC

WHEREAS, on September 21, 2023, Niagara Regional Council declared intimate partner violence and gender-based violence as epidemic; and WHEREAS, intimate partner and gender-based violence resulted in the femicide of 184 women and girls across Canada in 2022, a 20% increase over 2019; and WHEREAS, between November 26, 2022 and November 25, 2023, there were nearly 62 femicides in Ontario, exceeding last year’s number of 52 femicides in Ontario; and WHEREAS, Niagara Regional Council recognizes, with the September 21, 2023, declaration, that issues of intimate partner violence and gender- based violence are matters of local importance, including public health, EMS, community services, and community safety, in all of our communities; and WHEREAS, investments in and the availability of affordable housing is one of the most effective ways to increase the safety of survivors of intimate partner violence; and WHEREAS, one of the 86 recommendations from the inquiry into the femicides of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk, and Nathalie Warmerdam (the Renfrew County Inquest) is enhanced second-stage housing for survivors of intimate partner violence; and WHEREAS, for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Gillian’s Place and Birchway Niagara had to turn away a combined total of 709 people due to lack of space. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That Niagara Regional Council ENCOURAGE the provincial government to increase the number of shelters for survivors of intimate partner violence in Ontario, especia

That the following items BE RECEIVED for information: COM 40-2023 Seniors Services Strategic Plan 2024-2027 COM 42-2023 Update on Bridge Housing and Recuperative Care Programs PHD-C 6-2023 NEMS Heart Niagara AED Registry

That Report COM-C 40-2023, dated December 5, 2023, respecting Built for Zero Achievement, BE RECEIVED for information.