After spate of intimate partner violence, N.S. announces $24M for transition houses
Politicians have declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in Nova Scotia
Facing increasing pressure to do more to address intimate-partner violence in Nova Scotia, the provincial government on Friday announced $23.7 million for transition houses.
The money is destined for the province's 10 transition houses, which last year provided temporary shelter and services for 3,500 women and children fleeing violence. Premier Tim Houston said the new funding is the direct result of a meeting he attended in January with a coalition of support groups that were pushing for more resources and direction from government.
"It was a frank discussion and it was a necessary discussion," Houston told reporters Friday. "It made an impact on me personally but also on government."
There have been seven women killed in Nova Scotia since Oct. 18, 2024, whose deaths are connected to their male partners. In five of those cases, the perpetrator killed himself.
- On March 2, an elderly woman was found dead in a Bridgewater home. Her husband, Andrew Dawson Tanner, has been charged with first-degree murder.
- On Jan. 11, Paiyton Pick, 22, was found dead in a home that was set on fire. Her boyfriend, Justin Joseph Benjamin, has been charged with second-degree murder and arson with disregard to human life.
- On Jan. 5, Elaine Mosher, 60, was killed by her partner at a home in Mahone Bay.
- On Dec. 31, Corelee (Alisha) Smith, 40, was killed alongside her father, Bradford (Coy) Downey, in Halifax by her partner.
- On Nov. 7, a 71-year-old Cole Harbour woman was killed by her husband in their home. Police have not released her name.
- On Nov. 1, Nicole Murphy, 49, was killed by her partner in their Yarmouth home.
- On Oct. 18, Brenda Tatlock-Burke, 59, was killed by her husband, a retired RCMP officer, in their Enfield home.
'Significant' need, says premier
The bulk of the funding, which was not included in last month's provincial budget, provides $17.9 million over four years to stabilize operations at transition houses. The remaining $5.8 million is existing money shifted from various government departments.
When the 2025-26 budget was tabled, government officials said it included $7 million more for transition houses and women's centres as part of more than $100 million in "continued support" that had been previously announced. Women's groups had criticized the budget for lacking "core" funding, which they describe as money for long-term operations.
On Friday, the premier said his government had recognized it needed to do more. "The need of the moment is significant so we are doing what we can to meet some of that need," he said.
The funding announcement came a day after the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia held a vigil in Halifax in honour of the victims of intimate partner violence.
Anne de Ste Croix, executive director of the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, welcomed the new funding, saying that it would enable the organization to look at more longer-term solutions to prevent violence.
"I think this is a significant step in the right direction and the government has indicated to us as well that this relationship doesn't end here, that we will continue to work with them and they will continue to assess our needs," she said.
NDP wants stronger protections
Susan Leblanc, the Opposition NDP critic on the status of women, said the money announced on Friday was a long time coming.
"The funding has been requested for several years now by the organizations that are working on the ground to combat gender-based violence, and it's good to finally see it," Leblanc said.
Meanwhile, the New Democrats tabled legislation Friday to strengthen protections for domestic violence victims who rent their homes.
The bill covers situations when a lease must be broken to protect a victim of domestic abuse. Landlords would be required to offer the victim a new lease on the same terms and change apartment locks. The bill would also extend provincial housing benefits to survivors who stay in their home after an abuser moves out.
"It would mean that people who are experiencing or fleeing domestic violence are able to remain stable in their housing," Leblanc said of the proposed changes.
Service Nova Scotia Minister Jill Balser told the legislature during question period that her department would consider the bill.
Later, after speaking with staff in her department, Balser told reporters there are provisions in the Residential Tenancies Act that provide protection for survivors of intimate partner and gender-based violence who want someone's name removed from a lease.
The matter is covered by a portion of the act that deals with the reassignment of a lease.
"If the victim wants to have their partner removed [from the lease], that's what a reassignment can do," said Balser.
"They do have to go to their landlord and that's what we would want — we would want all landlords to be responsible and empathetic during somebody's time of need and do exactly that."
In September, the Nova Scotia government adopted legislation introduced by the NDP declaring intimate-partner violence an "epidemic." The declaration was one of the recommendations of the public inquiry into the April 2020 mass shooting that claimed the lives of 22 people.
For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
- Nova Scotians can call 211 to connect with community resources.
- A list of transition houses across Nova Scotia.
- Family violence resources helpline 1-855-225-0220.
- The Transition Housing Association of Nova Scotia website.
- Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 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 crisis centre.
- This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.
with files from Celina Aalders and Michael Gorman