February 21, 2008
IQALUIT - On behalf of The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Ms. Sylvie Boucher, M.P. (Beauport-Limoilou), Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and for Status of Women, today announced $1.5 million in funding to YWCA Canada for its Northern Extension Initiative, benefiting women and children in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
This project was approved under the Women's Partnership Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. This Fund supports eligible organizations in carrying out partnership projects at the local, regional and national level. To qualify, the projects must work toward the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
"Canada is proud to provide assistance to women in the North," Minister Verner said. "These projects mobilize the power of women to improve the well-being of their families and their communities."
"This initiative will serve the needs of Aboriginal and Northern women by putting in place programs and services through the YWCA supported by the Women's Partnership Fund," said Ms. Boucher. "It touches on key aspects of women's lives in the North, to ensure they have the support and skills, confidence and security, opportunities and good health they need to fulfill their dreams and achieve their potential."
Working with its partners, YWCA Canada will create three self-sustaining program/service delivery operations to respond to the specific needs of Aboriginal and Northern women. At the end of the project, culturally adapted health services, empowerment sessions, entrepreneurial job training, child care and violence prevention programs will be established.
"I am pleased that Status of Women Canada is working collaboratively with YWCA Canada to address issues of importance to women in Nunavut. The project will respond to various recommendations arising from the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women meeting held in Iqaluit last July, and from the 2007 National Aboriginal Women's Summit. As Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Nunavut I will continue to work to advocate solutions for issues and challenges faced by women in Nunavut." stated the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq.
"This initiative is exciting! We look forward to working with YWCA Canada to address the needs of women in core need throughout Nunavut," said Government of Nunavut's minister responsible for the issue of homelessness, the Honourable Ed Picco.
"We are very committed to the success of the Northern Extension Initiative," said Paulette Senior, YWCA Canada's Chief Executive Officer. "Northern communities are very isolated and generally have no road links - factors that can render women in particular vulnerable to violence and economic insecurity. This initiative will touch the lives of more than 3,000 women per year across three territories, empowering them to build skills and vastly improve their lives."
This funding is being announced, in part, to celebrate the upcoming International Women's Week, March 2 to 8, with its highlight, March 8, International Women's Day. This year's theme, Strong Women, Strong World, refers not only to the empowerment of women but also to the importance of women as caregivers, educators, policymakers, activists, leaders, international peacemakers and stewards of the world's environment.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
For information on Status of Women Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/.
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For more information, please contact:
Dominic GosselinPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages819-997-7788
Nanci-Jean WaughDirector, CommunicationsStatus of Women Canada613-995-7839
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