Madawaska Valley council has voted to declare gender-based violence an epidemic.
It joins a growing list of Ontario governments that have already done so as both a symbolic gesture and to trigger work on more violence-prevention initiatives.
The motion passed unanimously at council Tuesday.
It noted that the municipality is already working with several neighbouring Renfrew County municipalities on a regional safety plan.
It also calls on senior governments to act on recommendations from the recent CKW inquest.
The motion will be passed to other municipalities and high-profile leaders, including Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mayor Mark Willmer called it “an important resolution” and said he was glad to see council forwarding the call on to other leaders.