A disturbing murder-suicide in Sault Ste. Marie this week has led to increased calls on the province by advocates to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing's MPP reacted to the call at a press event at Canadore College Friday morning.
He noted that the Associate Minister of Health and Addictions, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services along with the Associate Minister of Women's social and economic opportunity have been speaking about the recent tragedy in Sault Ste. Marie.
"I think we will continue to hear more from various ministers, especially Minister Tibolo," said Fedeli.
"He spoke very passionately in the legislature, Minister Michael Parsa as well. Minister Charmaine Williams all spoke very passionately about intimate partner violence."
The jury at a coroner's inquest into the 2015 deaths of Nathalie Warmerdam, Carol Culleton and Anastasia Kuzyk in Renfrew County made that recommendation last year, along with 85 others aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
Ontario, in turn, rejected that recommendation.
Kathleen Jodioun, executive director of Victim Services of Nipissing District, spoke out about the tragedy that occurred in a northern community similar to our own in a Letter to the Editor.
"This tragedy is a devastating reminder of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) lethal and heartbreaking impact on the lives of women and children," she said also representing The Nipissing Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee (VAWCC).
With files from SooToday
