REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN - Low-income francophone women, women facing violence, Aboriginal and young women with disabilities, and immigrant women in Saskatchewan will now have the tools they need to build a brighter future for themselves, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.
On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, Mr. Dave Batters, Member of Parliament for Palliser, today announced funding to four organizations for projects that will benefit women in Regina and throughout Saskatchewan.
The four organizations will receive a total of $574,444 in funding over three years from the Women's Community Fund of the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada. This Fund supports eligible organizations in carrying out projects at the local, regional and national level. To qualify, the initiatives must work toward the equality and full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
"Our Government is pleased to support these exciting new projects," said Minister Verner. "By helping women with disabilities to protect themselves from abuse, improving shelter services to Aboriginal women facing violence, providing life skills training to immigrant women and promoting economic well-being among 'Fransaskoises,' we are showing the world that Canada's most precious and sustainable resource is its people."
"These projects address some of the toughest issues facing women today in Saskatchewan," said Mr. Batters. "I am proud to represent a government that is opening doors for women from all walks of life and degrees of challenge. In doing so, we are helping to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow truly represent the diversity of the Canadian population."
The following four organizations will receive funding:
- The Fédération provinciale des Fransaskoises, based in Gravelbourg, will receive $236,400 for its project entitled Ressources-mobiles pour le développement économique au féminin.
- The Provincial Association of Transition Houses of Saskatchewan will receive $195,706 for its Sheltering Women in Saskatchewan: A Project to Improve Services to Aboriginal Women.
- The Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities will receive $97,301 for its project entitled Silent Voices, Violence against Women with Disabilities: Education, Prevention, Intervention.
- The Regina Immigrant Women Centre will receive $45,037 for its project entitled Life Skills Training to Build Capacity of Immigrant Women.
"We are delighted to have the support of the Government of Canada for this ambitious new project," said Ms. Maria Lepage, President of the Fédération provinciale des Fransaskoises. "These funds will enable us to reach out in a meaningful way to low-income francophone women in cities, towns and rural communities throughout Saskatchewan, and to provide them with the tools and supports they need to develop their economic security - and prosper in the years ahead."
As announced in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada will develop an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and their participation in democratic life.
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.
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For more information, please contact:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie
819-997-7788
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
