After spate of intimate partner violence, N.S. announces $24M for transition houses

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Mar 07, 2025 3:36 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 minutes ago

Facing expanding unit to bash much to code intimate-partner unit successful Nova Scotia, the provincial authorities connected Friday announced $23.7 cardinal for modulation houses.

The wealth is destined for the province's 10 modulation houses, which past twelvemonth provided impermanent structure and services for 3,500 women and children fleeing violence. Premier Tim Houston said the caller backing is the nonstop effect of a gathering helium attended successful January with a conjugation of enactment groups that were pushing for much resources and absorption from government.

"It was a frank treatment and it was a indispensable discussion," Houston told reporters Friday. "It made an interaction connected maine personally but besides connected government."

There person been 7 women killed successful Nova Scotia since Oct. 18, 2024, whose deaths are connected to their antheral partners. In 5 of those cases, the perpetrator killed himself.

• On March 2, an aged pistillate was recovered dead successful a Bridgewater home. Her husband, Andrew Dawson Tanner, has been charged with first-degree murder.
• On Jan. 11, Paiyton Pick, 22, was recovered dead successful a location that was acceptable connected fire. Her boyfriend, Justin Joseph Benjamin, has been charged with second-degree execution and arson with disregard to quality life.
• On Jan. 5, Elaine Mosher, 60, was killed by her spouse astatine a location successful Mahone Bay. 
• On Dec. 31, Corelee (Alisha) Smith, 40, was killed alongside her father, Bradford (Coy) Downey, successful Halifax by her partner.
• On Nov. 7, a 71-year-old Cole Harbour woman was killed by her hubby successful their home. Police person not released her name.
• On Nov. 1, Nicole Murphy, 49, was killed by her spouse successful their Yarmouth home.
• On Oct. 18, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, 59, was killed by her husband, a retired RCMP officer, successful their Enfield home.

'Significant' need, says premier

The bulk of the funding, which was not included successful past month's provincial budget, provides $17.9 cardinal implicit 4 years to stabilize operations astatine modulation houses. The remaining $5.8 cardinal is existing wealth shifted from assorted authorities departments.

When the 2025-26 fund was tabled, authorities officials said it included $7 cardinal much for modulation houses and women's centres arsenic portion of much than $100 cardinal successful "continued support" that had been antecedently announced. Women's groups had criticized the fund for lacking "core" funding, which they picture arsenic wealth for semipermanent operations.

On Friday, the premier said his authorities had recognized it needed to bash more. "The request of the infinitesimal is important truthful we are doing what we tin to conscionable immoderate of that need," helium said.

The backing announcement came a time aft the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia held a vigil successful Halifax successful honour of the victims of intimate spouse violence.

Anne de Ste Croix, enforcement manager of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, welcomed the caller funding, saying that it would alteration the enactment to look astatine much longer-term solutions to forestall violence.

"I deliberation this is simply a important measurement successful the close absorption and the authorities has indicated to america arsenic good that this narration doesn't extremity here, that we volition proceed to enactment with them and they volition proceed to measure our needs," she said.

NDP wants stronger protections

Susan Leblanc, the Opposition NDP professional connected the presumption of women, said the wealth announced connected Friday was a agelong clip coming.

"The backing has been requested for respective years present by the organizations that are moving connected the crushed to combat gender-based violence, and it's bully to yet spot it," Leblanc said.

Meanwhile, the New Democrats tabled authorities Friday to fortify protections for home unit victims who rent their homes.

The measure covers situations erstwhile a lease indispensable beryllium breached to support a unfortunate of home abuse. Landlords would beryllium required to connection the unfortunate a caller lease connected the aforesaid presumption and alteration flat locks. The measure would besides widen provincial lodging benefits to survivors who enactment successful their location aft an abuser moves out.

"It would mean that radical who are experiencing oregon fleeing home unit are capable to stay unchangeable successful their housing," Leblanc said of the projected changes.

Service Nova Scotia Minister Jill Balser told the legislature that her section volition see the NDP bill.

"Individuals who spot themselves successful an intimate-partner unit concern merit information and they merit a spot wherever they tin commencement their lives and we privation to guarantee that."

In September, the Nova Scotia authorities adopted legislation declaring intimate-partner unit an "epidemic." The declaration was 1 of the recommendations of the nationalist enquiry into the April 2020 wide shooting that claimed the lives of 22 people.

For anyone affected by household oregon intimate spouse violence, determination is enactment disposable done situation lines and section enactment services. ​​If you're successful contiguous information oregon fearfulness for your information oregon that of others astir you, delight telephone 911.

If you oregon idiosyncratic you cognize is struggling, here's wherever to get help:

• Nova Scotians can call 211 to link with assemblage resources.
• A database of transition houses across Nova Scotia.
• Family unit resources helpline 1-855-225-0220.
• The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website.
• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call oregon substance 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour situation centre.
• This usher from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines however to speech astir termination with idiosyncratic you're disquieted about.