Community to gather to honour Julia Brady one year after her death

Read the article on Midland Today

In honour of the one-year anniversary of Julia Brady’s death at the hands of her intimate partner in Midland, Huronia Transition Homes (HTH) is hosting an event for local community members,  advocates, and frontline workers to gather for a public assembly and action to honour her life and call for urgent and systemic change. The event will take place on July 15th at 5:30pm at the Midland Pier (middle dock where the gazebo is). 

Julia Brady’s death was a femicide — a killing rooted in gender-based violence. She is not alone. Across Ontario, women and gender-diverse people continue to face soaring rates of intimate partner violence every day. Despite repeated calls from over 100 organizations, recommendations from inquests, and declarations in other provinces, the Ontario government has yet to recognize intimate partner violence as the epidemic it is. 

“This is not just about remembrance — it’s about resistance,” said Haily MacDonald, Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes. “We are coming together to honour Julia Brady’s life, stand with those who have experienced violence, and demand that the provincial government take real action. Declaring IPV an epidemic is a critical first step.” 

Break the silence: A crisis that can no longer be ignored  

Intimate partner violence is a leading cause of injury and death for women in Canada. It disproportionately affects women, girls, and gender-diverse people — especially those who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled, low-income, or otherwise marginalized. The Canadian Femicide Observatory reported that, in 2023 alone, a woman or girl was killed every 48 hours, with most of these deaths connected to male violence in intimate or familial relationships. 

And yet, despite growing rates of violence and multiple urgent calls to action, the Ontario government has refused to declare IPV an epidemic. This is in stark contrast to other provinces — including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba — that have acknowledged the scale and severity of the problem. 

The 2022 Renfrew County Inquest, following the murder of three women by a former partner, issued a clear recommendation: declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. The Ryan’s Inquest echoed the same. Over 100 organizations across Ontario — including women’s shelters, anti-violence organizations, legal clinics, and Indigenous-serving agencies — have issued joint statements, letters, and advocacy campaigns calling on the government to act.  

Collaborating to create change 

Although little movement at the provincial level has been seen, a beacon of hope shines in the town of Midland. Council has worked diligently with HTH over the past year to install a purple bench and chairs as part of the project to raise awareness of intimate partner violence as an epidemic and to honour those who have experienced such violence. Upon request by HTH, the town will also install a plaque in remembrance of Julia Brady, which will provide information on the purple bench, as well as contact information for crucial support for those in need. The work undertaken by the Town of Midland is a powerful example of the importance of community collaboration in the work to end all violence against all women. Mayor Bill Gordon will speak at the event alongside Lisa Moreau from the Georgian Bay Native Women’s Association, as well as their drum group, and Haily MacDonald.  

About the event 

The community assembly will create space for reflection, connection, and action. It is rooted in the belief that mourning and resistance can — and must — take place together. And that justice for Julia means not only remembering her, but transforming the systems that failed her. 

Event Highlights Include: 

• Remarks from advocates and frontline workers 

• A moment of collective reflection and remembrance to honour Julia and all lives lost to IPV and femicide 

• A shared public action, including a noise-making demonstration to raise our collective voice and break the silence that surrounds IPV 

• Opportunities to connect, learn more about ongoing campaigns, write letters to MPPs, and take meaningful next steps together 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a noisemaker — a pot, pan, bell, whistle, drum, or anything that makes a sound — as part of the collective action. We will not gather quietly. 

“Too often, vigils are silent,” said Desiree Salis, Manager of Development and Communications with HTH. “But silence is part of what allows this violence to continue. We’re done being quiet. We’re making noise for Julia, for all women who have experienced violence, and for all those we’ve lost.”