June 6, 2025
Fredericton (GNB) - Yesterday, the legislative assembly unanimously passed a motion calling for government to declare gender-based violence an epidemic and systemic crisis in New Brunswick.
Declaring gender-based violence an epidemic is a recommendation of the Mass Casualty Commission, the independent body that conducted a public inquiry into the April 2020 mass shootings in Nova Scotia that began with acts of intimate partner violence.
While consensus within the legislature is encouraging, the Council is reiterating that action and investment must follow this motion and any declaration that is made.
“A declaration is only meaningful if it translates into on-the-ground action,” said Council co-chair Jennifer Richard of Sexual Violence New Brunswick. “The Mass Casualty Commission’s final report consistently states that declaring gender-based violence an epidemic means taking a society-wide approach and providing epidemic-level funding for prevention and intervention. This must happen through co-creation with service providers, researchers, advocates, and victims and survivors.”
The 2025–2026 budget took important strides on the issue of gender-based violence by significantly increasing funding for many gender-based violence direct service providers. Despite this, more work and investment are needed.
The Council is also emphasizing that gender-based violence cannot be effectively addressed as a standalone issue.
“All issues of gender-based inequality and inequity are connected and mutually reinforcing,” said Council co-chair, Michèle Nadeau of YWCA Moncton. “Addressing gender-based violence requires addressing all issues that impact women and individuals who belong to gender minorities: their economic precarity; their underrepresentation in elected positions and senior leadership roles; their inadequate and inequitable access to health care; and many more issues.”
The New Brunswick Women’s Council is an independent advisory body for study and consultation on matters of importance, interest, and concern to women and their substantive equality.
06-06-2025
Media contact: Melissa Wah, New Brunswick Women’s Council, [email protected]
