Gender equity has not been a primary focus in the 2025 provincial election in Newfoundland and Labrador, as noted by the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (THANL). The organization recently published a report analyzing the Liberal, PC, and NDP strategies to combat gender-based violence by evaluating each party’s official platform.
THANL is urging the government to acknowledge gender-based and intimate partner violence as an epidemic. They are recommending that the incoming government enhance the availability of safe and affordable housing for women escaping violence and introduce a curriculum on gender-based violence in schools.
The report emphasizes that housing insecurity and high rental costs can trap survivors in abusive relationships. To tackle this issue, THANL is advocating for the establishment of a women’s only low-barrier shelter, an increase in subsidized housing options for women fleeing violence, and the development of a homelessness eradication strategy.
While all three parties have pledged to construct more homes, only the NDP has committed to prioritizing non-market, affordable housing. In the realm of education, THANL suggests educating students from primary to Grade 12 on gender-based violence. Although none of the parties have directly addressed this issue in schools, the Liberals have indicated that their education accord will involve modifications to the school curriculum.
Regarding healthcare, THANL is recommending that the elected government endorse the federal pharmacare plan and enhance access to trauma-informed healthcare. This includes funding for women’s centers to sustain programs aiding victims of sexual violence and the creation of private triage spaces in emergency departments for women experiencing gender-based violence.
In the justice sector, THANL’s report calls for increased support and legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence residing in rural and remote regions of the province. The report highlights the importance of the criminal and family justice systems in safeguarding survivors, although challenges persist due to a shortage of RCMP officers affecting the enforcement of protection orders and peace bonds.
The Liberals have committed to establishing a police crime reduction unit for compliance checks, while both the Liberals and PCs have pledged to hire more police officers in rural areas. The NDP has stressed the need for additional support and space for women’s shelters.
Party leaders have responded to THANL’s report, with NDP Leader Jim Dinn expressing concern about intimate partner violence and the challenges faced by women seeking shelter. PC Leader Tony Wakeham has also discussed the importance of maintaining and adequately staffing transition houses. The Liberals have affirmed their commitment to transitional housing initiatives, emergency shelter support, and working with organizations like THANL to explore funding solutions.
In summary, the call for action on gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador’s election landscape remains a critical issue that the incoming government will need to address comprehensively.