Today in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Bill 53 the Escaping Domestic Violence Act, 2010 passed Second Reading. Bill 53 was introduced by MPP Yasir Naqvi on May 5.

If passed, Bill 53 would amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 to provide a mechanism for victims of domestic violence to seek early termination of a lease. Victims of domestic violence often face serious barriers to escaping dangerous and abusive relationships, including rental or lease agreements.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 all tenants must provide no less than 60 days notice to a landlord to terminate a lease, and if in a fixed-term lease, must wait until the final 60 days of the lease period before being allowed to do so.

The proposed Escaping Domestic Violence Act, 2010 provides victims of domestic violence a mechanism for the early termination of a lease, with a reduced period of notice to a landlord of 28 days or more. The victim must provide one of the following documents with the notice: a Peace Bond, Restraining Order, or letter from a police force confirming an investigation of domestic violence is taking place. Domestic violence as it pertains to this Act is defined.

QUOTES

“Victims of domestic violence already face severe barriers toward reporting abuse and fleeing dangerous situations. By removing barriers to flee a rented home, we are giving victims more opportunities to protect themselves from violence and abuse, and begin a new life in a safe home.”

-- Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre

“We are very happy that members of parliament are recognizing and are working towards supporting women fleeing domestic violence. Bill 53 is a step in the right direction to eliminating barriers that women face when attempting flee abusive relationships. “

-- Karen MacInnis, Director of Interval House of Ottawa

QUICK FACTS

§Spousal violence makes up the single largest category of convictions involving violent offences in non-specialized adult courts in Canada over the five-year period 1997/98 to 2001/02. Over 90% of offenders were male

§Thirty-six percent of female victims of spousal violence and less than 10% of victims of sexual assault reported these crimes to the police in 2004

§Of the almost 34,000 victims of spousal violence reported in 2000, women accounted for the majority of victims (85%): a total of 28,633 victims

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