Federal action on gender-based violence

Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)

WAGE leads the development and implementation of the federal GBV Strategy, which is the federal contribution to the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. The Department manages the Gender-based Violence Program and the Women’s Program, providing direct funding to community organizations to help them prevent and address GBV, and to address systemic barriers to women’s equality in Canadian society. It also works with provincial and territorial governments to support victims and survivors of GBV, and currently has bilateral agreements with all jurisdictions to support crisis hotlines and the implementation of the National Action Plan to End GBV. 

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

PHAC supports projects that promote safe relationships and prevent youth dating violence, family violence, and child maltreatment from a health perspective. PHAC also supports initiatives to equip health professionals and service providers with tools to recognize and respond safely to family violence. In addition, PHAC provides information on Canadian resources and support services and more general information on family violence, through the Stop Family Violence website.

Public Safety Canada (PS)

PS leads and develops various initiatives to address GBV, including efforts to counter Human Trafficking. It also provides leadership on Firearms policy, works to prevent and address bullying and cyberbullying among youth, and leads the Government of Canada's efforts to counter radicalization to violence through the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence.

Department of National Defence (DND)

DND supports those affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community through the Department’s SexualMisconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), which includes trauma-informed services.

Department of Justice Canada (Justice)

Justice addresses GBV through policy measures, program funding and law reform, including reforms to enact protections throughout the justice system for victims and survivors of GBV. Through the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, victims of crime have the right to information, protection, participation, and to seek restitution. The Department also provides information about family violence, the laws relating to family violence and the kind of help that is available.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

The RCMP continues to advance key initiatives to prevent and address GBV and intimate partner violence (IPV). It has coordinators and investigators nationwide and is strengthening training and capacity across the country to effectively address GBV. The RCMP has also updated its national operational policy on IPV, giving officers clearer direction, including guidance on Clare’s Law, coercive control, and a victim-centred, trauma-informed approach. The policy further encourages officers to be aware of community resources that support victims and survivors. More information is available on the RCMP’s website.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

IRCC supports newcomers, immigrants and refugees through the Gender-Based Violence Settlement Sector Strategy Partnership. It is a collaborative national partnership that works to better equip frontline settlement workers with tools and resources to spot and respond to GBV, and provide appropriate referrals for newcomers and refugees to other community supports.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

CIRNAC leads the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, which is the Government of Canada's contribution to the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ People National Action Plan. They report on federal progress in advancing the Calls for Justice intended to address the root causes that sustain violence against First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women, girls, two-spirit and gender diverse people identified in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

ISC supports emergency shelters and transitional (second stage) housing to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children, families and 2SLGBTQI+ people across Canada, through the Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP). With the Pathways to Safe Communities Initiative, ISC also assists First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities and partners, both on and off reserves, to implement Indigenous-designed projects to improve community safety and well-being.

Sport Canada

Sport Canada is supporting victims and survivors of maltreatment in sport, through the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP). As Canada’s independent third party, the CSSP prohibits various forms of gender-based violence, including sexual maltreatment and harassment. Additionally, the CSSP provides education, prevention tools, resources, and mental health referrals to support the detection, awareness, and management of maltreatment.

Finance Canada (Finance)

Finance is working with stakeholders and banks to develop a voluntary Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Economic Abuse that will set clear expectations for how banks can identify, prevent, and respond to economic abuse, a type of gender-based violence.

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

The CRA supports people facing an abusive or violent situation, including financial abuse, by helping victims and survivors of GBV to continue to access tax benefits and credits payments.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) 

GAC works with international partners to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence globally, by providing international assistance to address this global crisis, improve justice and accountability, and empower survivors.

At the United Nations, Canada has long advocated for this issue through the leadership of the biennial Human Rights Council resolution on the elimination of violence against women and girls. In 2025, this resolution was adopted by consensus and emphasized prevention through the fulfillment of economic, social, and cultural rights. That same year Canada also signed the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará Convention).

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

VAC is creating safer and more inclusive environments for women Veterans and their families through improved support services, targeted research, and increased collaboration with experts in the field. VAC also ensures that all frontline staff complete mandatory training in gender-based analysis and trauma-informed care as they continue to advance this work.