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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦

@kristynwongtam

黃慧文 (they/them) Official Critic for the Attorney General / Small Business / 2SLGBTQI+ Issues

calendar_today09-02-2009 17:56:46

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

LIVE - Press conference with MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam on the rise in gender-based violence as reported by Statistics Canada this week. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Next week, Doug Ford will release his throne speech and budget. It will set forth the government’s priorities and spending for all Ontarians to review and evaluate.

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Ford’s 2022 budget document tabled before the Provincial election did not include a SINGLE reference to sexual violence, sexual assault or rape crisis centres.

This even contrasts the previous budget, which did at least mention domestic violence & sexual violence in some way.

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We know there was no new funding for the sector in Ford’s pre-election budget, not even a mention of the paltry $2.1 million over three years province-wide as promised in 2021 for sexual assault centres. We are now in year two of a three-year promise with nothing to show for it.

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

While we anticipate much attention on the Throne Speech & Budget will be rightfully placed on the troubled education system & health care crisis, the Ontario NDP joins advocates & legal community calling upon Ford to address the epidemic of sexual assault in this province.

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Not addressing sexual assault is costly. When the government does not invest in appropriate services, it costs taxpayers much more later on. Studies have shown, the impact of sexual assault goes far beyond the individual directly impacted.

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

We call on Ford to include the following in next week’s Budget:

1. Restore total funding to legal aid

2. Adequately fund the province-wide independent legal advice program for survivors of sexual assault

3. Explore legal alternatives including restorative justice options

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Kristyn Wong-Tam πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦(@kristynwongtam) 's Twitter Profile Photo

4. Increase funding by a minimum of 30% to Ontario’s sexual assault & rape crisis centres – make it stable

5. Incorporate Intersectional Gender-Based Analysis to all legislation INCLUDING THE BUDGET before it’s passed

6. Create a Provincial Roundtable on Gender-Based Violence

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