| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
The Honourable Rechie Valdez will lead the Canadian Delegation to the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Woman (UNCSW 70), taking place in New York City from March 9–19, 2026. This year, UNCSW will focus on the priority theme of ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, reiterated an investment of $630,976 for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters to address gaps in supports for at-risk groups experiencing gender-based violence. This funding was highlighted yesterday by the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), as part of a larger announcement to mark International Women’s Day.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced over $4.3 million in funding for eight organizations to expand proven, community-based initiatives that strengthen supports for women and their families experiencing violence.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today, Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced $871,262 in funding for the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (WomanACT), for their project Community Wellness – Canadian Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Pilot.
For too many Canadian individuals and businesses, extortion is a reality of everyday life—one that brings fear, intimidation, and harm to communities and families alike and that undermines Canadians’ sense of safety. These crimes are typically carried out by organized networks operating across borders and using digital platforms. That’s why coordinated action between governments, law enforcement, and financial institutions is essential and at the heart of today’s announcement.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today, Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, on behalf of the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced $264,433 for Sudbury Queers United Around Diversity (SQUAD) to promote community safety, equality, and well-being across Greater Sudbury.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), along with Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities), announced $15.5 million to strengthen the capacity of national women’s organizations across Canada.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
Today in Mississauga, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) and Iqra Khalid, Member of Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills, Ontario, visited Iqbal Foods to highlight how the government is working to put more money back in the pockets of those most affected by the rising price of food, and to tackle food insecurity across a range of fronts.
| Women and Gender Equality Canada
| news releases
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence and following the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced $1,333,430 for the DisAbled Women’s Network Canada (DAWN Canada) for their project Scaling Resilience and Change.
DAWN Canada will work with partners to expand a peer support model for women and 2SLGBTQI+ people with disabilities who have experienced gender-based violence.
