from We Count Femicide Because…
In September 2026, there were 3 femicides reported in Ontario. The September OAITH reports on statistics connected with new new federal criminal legislation that came into effect July 2026 that recognizes femicide and other forms of GBV within the Criminal Code of Canada. Among these amendments, the killing of an intimate partner and other gender-based killings would constitute 1st degree murder (Criminal Code of Canada, 1985). Since the legislation was passed, 11 femicides have been
reported in Ontario, with two cases reported to be murder-femicides and nine cases resulting in criminal charges. Among the cases in which charges have been laid, the accused has been charged with first-degree murder in three cases. It is unclear how these legislative amendments may improve protections for those experiencing violence or improve accountability measures among those who use violence. The small proportion of cases being legally classified as femicide cases raises concerns. Currently, the legislation is only being applied in a small proportion of cases, which may unintentionally create a hierarchy and stratify victims, in which some femicides are determined to warrant greater punishment than others.
View the report for June here: We Count Femicide – September 2026
Since November 26th 2025, there have been 34 femicides were reported in Ontario. In 2024-2025, OAITH tracked a total of 43 femicides within media reports.
Femicide is commonly defined as the intentional murder of women because they are women. OAITH’s femicide definition includes a gender-based killing of a woman, child, trans woman, 2-Spirited Person, or gender non-conforming individual where a man has been charged in relation to the death.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/WeCountFemicideBecause
Media tips: https://bit.ly/FemicideReportingRecommendations
Suggested citation of factsheet: Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH), 2026. September. “Monthly Femicide in Ontario Factsheet.”
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