Demand Better Campaign

A federal election has been called! Now what? 

Feminist and progressive organizations are joining together across Canada to fight for the economic well-being of our families and to mobilize Canadians to vote for leaders who will side with us. For decades, we have championed policies that make life better for everyone–housing, healthcare, child care, human rights, and beyond–so every person in Canada can succeed, regardless of where we live or what we look like. 

Policies shape how we live our daily lives. We need long-term solutions that build up our communities and country–solutions that build hospitals, affordable housing, more child care, and free medication.

Regardless of who you are or where you live, we all benefit from policies that make life better for everyone.

Learn more and join our movement to demand better.

Sign up to the Demand Better campaign

Where do party leaders stand?

We asked party leaders about their commitments to ending gender-based violence. Specifically:

  • Will their party announce a dedicated Minister of Women and Gender Equality Canada?
  • Will their party  commit to transparency and accountability by implementing an Independent Oversight Body for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence?
  • Will their party commit to naming femicide under the Canadian Criminal Code?
  • How will their party ensure that more safe, accessible, and affordable housing is available for women fleeing violence?
  • Will their party commit to increased, long-term funding for women’s rights and gender justice organizations, including grassroots advocates, to carry out their critical work?

We will share their responses as we get them

Federal Track Record on Gender-Based Violence 2015-2025

The last ten years have brought significant investment to anti-violence organizations, a number of legislative changes, and new initiatives designed to address GBV in Canada. During this period, the Justice Minister also declared GBV an epidemic, which has the potential to raise awareness and increase investments. This declaration also signals an understanding by this government of the persistence and severity of GBV in our society. We have created a decade-long timeline of legislative and policy actions related to gender-based violence (GBV). This timeline highlights key bills introduced during this period, their impact and progress, as well as various government initiatives, programs, and plans aimed at preventing and addressing GBV. While these important steps have been made during this period, this work is far from complete.

Questions for Candidates in Your Riding

Gender-based violence (GBV) is at epidemic proportions in Canada and around the world and only increased during the pandemic, and with rising inflation rates and economic challenges. The Canadian Femicide Observatory has reported that 187 women and girls were killed in 2024, the vast majority by men. A woman in Canada is killed by a current or former intimate partner, on average, once a week. Indigenous women continue to be seven times more likely to be killed than non-Indigenous women. On any given day, there are over 4,000 women and gender-diverse people and 3,000 children who have found safety in one of Canada’s shelters. Shelters work tirelessly to ensure that survivors do not become statistics on femicide lists, but contending with the housing crisis means they are unable to meet growing demands.

GBV is an equity issue. It is a cause and consequence of gender inequality. To effectively address the issue, long-term systems change accompanied by a shift in attitudinal norms are needed. The 2025 Canadian federal election is the time for your voice to be heard. Ask candidates in your riding:

  1. What will you and your party do to help end violence against women? Do you know anything about the level of femicide in your riding?
  2. Do you support the continuation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence?
  3. How will you ensure that more safe, accessible, and affordable housing is available for women fleeing violence?
  4. Will you commit to increased, long-term funding for women’s rights and gender justice organizations, including grassroots advocates, to carry out their critical work?
  5. Canada could lead the world on Sustainable Development Goal # 5 “achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls” but we need to make this a priority. How will your government rise to the challenge to achieve a fair and equal future for all women?

* If speaking to the incumbent, consider asking how their voting record while an MP has supported women’s rights, gender justice, and ending VAW and GBV.