Editor’s note: On June 27 Ontario delivered the rest of its formal response to the 86 recommendations made by the jurors at the inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam held at Pembroke in June 2022. The Current plans a more detailed analysis later.
The following is the text of the cover letter from the five Ministries involved: Ministry of the Solicitor General; Ministry of the Attorney General; Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services; Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Ministry of Health.
We are writing to provide Part II of the Government of Ontario’s response regarding the inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam. Together with Part I of Ontario’s response, this represents our complete response to the Inquest’s recommendations directed at the Government of Ontario.
We recognize the importance of the inquest and acknowledge that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious issue that requires a concerted, whole-of-government approach. We also acknowledge and thank the members of the jury for taking part in this difficult inquest in June 2022. Tragedies like these have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.
The government is taking action to break the cycle of IPV and support survivors to help keep communities safe.
Enhancing Survivor Supports and Experience Navigating Systems
To enhance supports for IPV survivors and improve their experience in navigating systems, we are committed to exploring investments and opportunities to:
- Improve current systems, coordination, collaboration and communication between service providers and sector partners,
- Enhance training and education offered to frontline personnel, and
- Stabilize funding to IPV service providers across sectors.
In relation to current systems, the government will explore enhancements to court supports for IPV survivors delivered by the Victim/Witness Assistance Program and explore enhancements to the Independent Legal Advice for Survivors of Sexual Assault program. We will also explore the opportunity for the expansion of IPV service models through locally tailored, competitive and application-based community safety grants provided to police services, in partnership with local community agencies, through programs such as the Community Safety and Policing Grant, Victim Support Grant and the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant.
Furthermore, we will explore opportunities to enhance IPV/gender-based violence (GBV) training and resources offered to justice and youth justice personnel, while also examining enhancements to GBV prevention programming. This could help to address gaps across the province, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and increase access to services, including services for youth, that are culturally/geographically responsive and trauma informed. Other avenues will be explored to provide adequate and stable funding to IPV service providers based on evidence-based best practices.
We will also further study the best approach for permitting disclosure of information about an individual’s history of IPV and potential risk to partners who request this information (e.g., a Clare’s Law-type mechanism).
Enhancing Perpetrator Intervention Programming
As part of our approach to addressing IPV, ministries are examining ways to enhance programming offered to perpetrators of IPV through investments in early intervention and prevention, justice system supports, and services aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration of perpetrators into the community.
Programs offered as part of Ontario’s adult correctional system, both in institutions and within the community, will continue to be improved. We will examine existing programming and strengthen alignment between probation and parole interventions and the Partner Assault Response (PAR) program.
Ministries will also explore opportunities to:
- Enhance perpetrator programming to improve outcomes and protect survivors including exploring opportunities to strengthen delivery of the PAR program.
- Increase workforce training and development for IPV service providers.
- Expand and increase capacity of Indigenous-specific IPV prevention programs.
To prioritize IPV/GBV prevention and recovery, ministries are focusing on opportunities to stabilize and expand existing youth justice programming, including programs that are culturally responsive for Indigenous and racialized communities and improve the services addressing the intersection of child protection and IPV perpetration in the province.
We strongly believe that everyone has the right to live in safety and with dignity, free from intimidation and the threat of violence. We look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders and partners to address IPV using a concerted, whole-of-government approach, focusing on concrete actions and investments in supports and programs to achieve better outcomes.
We honour and remember Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam, as well as the many others who have been killed as a result of gender-based violence. We remain committed to working with our sector partners towards an Ontario that is free of violence and full of opportunity for girls and women.
Rea,S.,Office of the Chief Coroner / Ontario Forensic Pathology Service(2023,June27) Govt of ON Joint DSG responspe part II [media release]
Is that all these folks get?