Nova Scotia to create engagement table on gender-based violence

The Nova Scotia government is establishing an engagement table aimed at tackling gender-based violence.

Justice Minister Becky Druhan announced the initiative Tuesday, saying the table will include up to 25 members, including front-line service providers, community organizations, survivors, family members and academic experts.

Druhan said the goal is to better understand evolving needs, deliver help more quickly and work collaboratively to prevent violence.

“Nova Scotians have told us that gender-based violence supports and services need to be more connected, more responsive and easier to access,” Druhan said in a news release. “We need to work together with the people providing support and the survivors who access those services.”

Nova Scotia Liberal co-leader Iain Rankin welcomed the announcement but cautioned it must lead to real action.

“We are glad to see the minister has finally started to bring together experts and stakeholders and used her convening power as recommended, but this new proposal will only be successful if necessary changes are actually implemented,” Rankin said.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender pointed to existing guidance from several high-profile investigations.

“We know what the problems are — and we know what must be done,” Chender said. “The recommendations from the Mass Casualty Commission, the Lionel Desmond Inquiry and the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls all provide us with a path forward. Now we need to do the work.”

The province said a call for applications to join the table will be issued in the coming weeks, and the group will meet at least every three months.

In the most recent provincial budget, the government allocated more than $100 million across departments to address gender-based and intimate partner violence, including $17.8 million in core funding for transition houses and women’s centres.