Canada–British Columbia transfer payment agreement on the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence

Agreement

Between:
His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and including any person duly authorized to represent it (hereinafter referred to as “Canada”)

And:
His Majesty the King in Right of British Columbia as represented by the Minister of Finance and includes any other duly authorized representative (hereinafter referred to as “British Columbia”)

Hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Parties”.

 

Whereas, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality’s powers, duties and functions include the advancement of equality, including social, economic and political equality, with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression;

Whereas, the mandate of the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Finance includes leading work to develop an action plan to end gender-based violence in British Columbia;

Whereas, preventing and addressing gender-based violence necessitates coordinated and collaborative actions from federal, provincial, and territorial governments, each working within their respective jurisdictional authorities, in partnership with survivors, Indigenous partners, civil society, front-line service providers, municipalities, the private sector and researchers;

Whereas, on November 8th, 2022, at the 40th Annual Meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women, Ministers endorsed the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (hereinafter referred to as the “NAP to End GBV”); a ten-year, collaborative approach to ending gender-based violence (hereinafter referred to as “GBV”); 

Whereas, joint efforts in support of the NAP to End GBV will align with and complement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, and “A Path Forward: Priorities and Early Strategies for B.C.”;

Whereas, the federal government’s Budget 2022 provided $539.3 million over five years (2022-2023 to 2026-2027) to the Department for Women and Gender Equality Canada, including $525 million to enable provinces and territories to supplement and enhance services and supports within their jurisdictions to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors; 

Whereas, British Columbia already supports efforts to prevent GBV and supports victims and families;

Whereas, Canada wishes to supplement British Columbia’s investments, including new and expanded actions to end GBV under the collaborative framework of the NAP to End GBV, based on British Columbia’s priorities, but including investment in the areas defined as Priorities in Section 2.9;

Whereas, section 5 of the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act authorizes the Minister for Women and Gender Equality, with the approval of the Governor in Council, to enter into this Transfer Payment Agreement on the Implementation of the NAP to End GBV with British Columbia;

And Whereas Canada’s funding under this Agreement will be distributed to British Columbia in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s (hereinafter referred to as “WAGE”) Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Program: A Grants and Contributions Program.

Now therefore, Canada and British Columbia agree as follows: 

1. Purpose of agreement

The purpose of this Agreement is to support British Columbia’s implementation of its actions under the NAP to End GBV (Annex A) so that collectively, the vision of the NAP to End GBV can be advanced - “A Canada free of gender-based violence. A Canada that supports victims, survivors and their families, no matter where they live”. 

2. Definitions

The following expressions, used in this Agreement, shall have the scope defined below:

2.1 “Agreement” means this Transfer Payment Agreement on the Implementation of the NAP to End GBV, including its Annexes and Schedules, as may be amended from time to time.

• Annexes A and D by the Federal Provincial Territorial Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women, and
• Schedules B and C by the Parties to this Agreement. 

2.2 “Days” means calendar days.

2.3 “Designated Official” means the person(s) identified by the Party with the authority, responsibility, and integrity to represent the Party and perform responsibilities related to implementing the Agreement.

2.4 “Effective Date” means the date this Agreement comes into force, which is the date the second Party signs the Agreement.

2.5 “Eligible Expenditures” means expenses related to actions in British Columbia’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B), for which federal funding can be used in accordance with this Agreement.

2.6 “Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on April 1 of any calendar year and terminating on March 31 of the immediately following calendar year.

2.7 “GBV (Gender-Based Violence)” means violence perpetrated against someone based on their gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. It takes many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse as well as technology-facilitated violence.

2.8 “NAP to End GBV” means the NAP to End GBV (attached as Annex A), a ten-year, collaborative framework for a national approach to ending GBV and its impacts in Canada through opportunities for action under five pillars and a foundation:

• Pillar 1 - Support for survivors and their families
• Pillar 2 - Prevention 
• Pillar 3 - Responsive justice system
• Pillar 4 - Implementing Indigenous-led approaches
• Pillar 5 - Social infrastructure and enabling environment
• The Foundation (leadership, coordination and engagement; data, research and knowledge mobilization; and, monitoring, evaluation and reporting) 

2.9 “Priorities” mean the following three, broad priority areas:

1. Increasing prevention efforts – to stem the tide of downstream costs and support sustainability over the longer-term
2. Reaching underserved and/or most at-risk populations – to ensure that services and supports are accessible, appropriate, and tailored to specific needs
3. Stabilizing the GBV sector – to enable the ongoing and effective delivery of essential GBV services across the country

2.10 “British Columbia’s Implementation Plan” means the four-year actions of British Columbia to implement the NAP to End GBV in its jurisdiction, agreed to by the Parties and attached as Schedule B. British Columbia’s Implementation Plan outlines:

• Actions under the five pillars and the foundation of the NAP to End GBV as prioritized by British Columbia. While all British Columbia’s actions must fall under the five pillars and foundation of the NAP to End GBV, British Columbia’s Implementation Plan does not have to include actions in all five pillars and foundation in any one year of this Agreement, other than outlined in Section 4.2.4.
• Actions that support the three Priorities
• Connections between British Columbia’s Implementation Plan and other work in its jurisdiction in addressing GBV
• Outcomes expected to be achieved by the actions 
• A data collection plan to fulfill British Columbia’s obligations for reporting (outlined in Section 7.3) as outlined in Annex D.

2.11 “Ultimate Recipients” means organizations providing actions to address GBV under British Columbia’s Implementation Plan. 

3. Duration of agreement

3.1 This Agreement shall come into force on the Effective Date and shall end on March 31, 2027, unless terminated before then by Canada or British Columbia in accordance with this Agreement.

3.2 Subject to termination, this Agreement covers the actions described in Schedule B for the period commencing on April 1, 2023 and ending on March 31, 2027. Unless otherwise pre-authorized by Canada, only goods and services rendered within this period shall be considered as Eligible Expenditures.

3.3 All obligations of the Parties herein which, expressly or by their nature, survive termination or expiry of this Agreement, shall survive until and unless they are fulfilled or by their nature expire.

4. Areas of investment

4.1 Cost sharing

4.1.1 The federal allocation under this Agreement, up to the maximum amount allocated to British Columbia in Section 5.1.1, shall be matched by British Columbia through an overall, 50-50 sharing of costs. Canada’s allocation shall not exceed 50% of British Columbia’s total funding for the purpose of this Agreement. 

4.1.2 British Columbia’s cost share can include:

1. new investments, and
2. existing GBV-related funding or investments.

4.1.3 A higher federal cost share may be used for British Columbia’s actions supporting the Priorities, within an overall 50-50 cost share ratio for the full value of the Agreement.

4.1.4 Any funds identified by British Columbia as constituting any part of its 50% cost share under this Agreement must not be used as British Columbia’s cost share or cost matching in any other agreement with the Government of Canada.

4.2 Use of funds

4.2.1 Canada and British Columbia agree that federal funds provided under this Agreement will only be used by British Columbia in accordance with Eligible Expenditures. Eligible areas of investment are those included in British Columbia’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and align with the guiding principles of the NAP to End GBV (Annex A). 

4.2.2 Where British Columbia transfers funding to Ultimate Recipients, British Columbia shall have full independence and responsibility in the selection of such Ultimate Recipients.

4.2.3 Programs, services and actions supported with Government of Canada funding must support the needs of the key population groups, including: women and girls; Indigenous women and girls; Black and racialized women; immigrant and refugee women; Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, plus people (2SLGBTQI+); women with disabilities, and women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities.

4.2.4 A minimum of 25% of the federal funding under this Agreement must be spent by British Columbia on Priority area #1 -- increasing prevention efforts (as defined in Section 2.9).

4.2.5 British Columbia will not include any administration costs in British Columbia’s 50% cost share.

4.2.6 Eligible Expenditures under the federal 50% cost share can include staff and management salaries and benefits directly related to delivery of Eligible Expenditures as outlined in Schedule B, but no federal funding can be used toward British Columbia’s administration costs including costs related to central administrative functions that are drawn upon to support actions but are not specifically part of delivering an action outlined in Schedule B (e.g., office equipment, IT maintenance, public sector HR salaries).

4.2.7 Funding under this Agreement shall not be used to displace existing or publicly announced funding by British Columbia. 

4.3 Ineligible expenditures

4.3.1 Actions outside Canada

Expenditures for actions that take place outside Canada or that deal with a related matter abroad are not eligible for funding under this Agreement.

4.3.2 Expenditures incurred before April 1, 2023, are not eligible for cost sharing.

4.3.3 Expenditures that do not support the implementation of the NAP to End GBV are not eligible for funding under this Agreement.

5. Allocation and conditions

5.1 Allocation to British Columbia

5.1.1 Subject to Parliamentary approval of appropriations, the maximum allocation by Canada to British Columbia under this Agreement is $61,992,000, matched by British Columbia, toward Eligible Expenditures in British Columbia’s Implementation Plan. British Columbia’s cost matching is further detailed in Schedule C. 

Canada’s annual maximum allocation of funding to British Columbia shall be:

1. $7,848,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2023
2. $18,048,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2024
3. $18,048,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2025
4. $18,048,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2026.

5.2 Transfer of funds between expenditure categories

5.2.1 Canada and British Columbia agree that, within each Fiscal Year of the period of this Agreement, British Columbia may move funding between the pillars and the foundation of the NAP to End GBV outlined in British Columbia's Implementation Plan in Schedule B to ensure the maximum use of funding, in accordance with Section 4.2.4. British Columbia agrees to notify Canada in writing prior to any such change in funding allocation, including the rationale for the change. Should Canada have a reasonable objection to the change proposed by British Columbia, Canada shall communicate its objection within 30 Days following the issuance of British Columbia’s written notification to Canada.

6. Payment

6.1 Payment conditions

6.1.1 After the Effective Date, Canada shall pay British Columbia $7,848,000 for Fiscal Year 1 within twenty (20) Days for the first payment.

6.1.2 British Columbia will submit annual reports (Section 7.3 of Agreement) to receive subsequent advance payment for the following Fiscal Year in accordance with the “Payment and Reporting Schedule” below. The reports must be certified by British Columbia’s Designated Official. Payments for the subsequent Fiscal Years following Fiscal Year 1 are conditional upon receipt and acceptance by Canada of these completed reports.

6.2 Carry forward

6.2.1 At the written request of British Columbia, and subject to the approval of Canada, funding amounts may be carried forward into the next Fiscal Year, under the following terms:

1. British Columbia may only use the amount carried forward to the next Fiscal Year for Eligible Expenditures incurred in that Fiscal Year;
2. amounts carried forward and paid must be spent by September 30th of the following Fiscal Year, and
3. any amounts unspent by British Columbia on March 31, 2027, shall be repaid to Canada within six months after that date. 

6.3 Final payment

6.3.1 The final payment will be made to British Columbia upon Canada’s receipt of the 2026-2027 annual report, due by July 31, 2027, and confirmation that British Columbia has met its commitments under this Agreement. 

6.3.2 Details on other payment conditions can be found in Schedule C. 

7. Results, monitoring and reporting

7.1 Monitoring ultimate recipients

7.1.1 British Columbia will follow its own policies and procedures to assess and manage the manner in which Ultimate Recipients use federal funds provided under this Agreement to ensure transparency, impartiality, and fairness.

7.2 Performance indicators 

7.2.1 Canada collects and disseminates information on the outputs and impacts of the actions funded through its programs; this information is an important part of Canada’s accountability to Canadians. 

7.2.2 British Columbia will collect jurisdictional-specific data needed to report on the performance indicators in the NAP to End GBV Expected Results, attached as Annex D. 

7.3 Annual reporting

7.3.1 British Columbia shall provide Canada with an annual report for each Fiscal Year that this Agreement is active by July 31st of the following year. British Columbia agrees that the annual report will include:

1. data to report on results for the indicators in British Columbia’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and the Results Framework (Annex D);
2. a report on the actions completed in the Fiscal Year against the actions in British Columbia’s Implementation Plan;
3. a report of British Columbia’s Eligible Expenditures and a financial statement that is prepared in accordance with British Columbia’s financial authorities and/or regulations against the amounts in British Columbia’s cost-sharing budget; 
4. a list of Ultimate Recipients that were supported during the reporting period, including the amount each organization received;
5. an updated Implementation Plan, if needed, for the remaining years of this Agreement;
6. an updated Cost-sharing Budget, if needed, for the following years of this Agreement;
7. any amount to be carried forward under Section 6.2. 

8. Audit & evaluation

8.1 Audit

8.1.1 Canada may choose to rely on the reporting requirements due by British Columbia under Section 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement to conduct its own internal audit, for a period of up to five years after the end of this Agreement, without waiving the right to subsequently request an independent audit as provided herein.

8.1.2 If requested by Canada, the Parties agree that an independent auditor may be appointed through mutual agreement to review the records maintained by British Columbia, including the management of funds provided by Canada and the consistent application of generally accepted accounting principles in the maintenance of financial and accounting records.

1. The scope, coverage and timing of an audit are determined in collaboration between Canada and British Columbia. Both Parties shall make available to the auditors, in a timely manner, any accounts, records, documents or information related to actions that the auditors may reasonably require, upon request. The records, documents and information provided by the Parties are subject to their respective privacy legislation.
2. The results of the audit shall be made available by the auditor to Canada and British Columbia within thirty (30) Days of its completion.
3. If money is owing to either Party, the Party owing money will pay within ninety (90) Days of their receipt and agreement with the final audit report. 
4. The cost of providing the services of an independent auditor from the private sector shall be borne by Canada. 

8.2 Evaluation plan

8.2.1 Canada and British Columbia agree on the importance of assessing what has been accomplished in terms of the implementation progress to date on the NAP to End GBV outlined in this Agreement.

8.2.2 Canada’s programs are routinely subject to evaluation. The Parties agree to participate in the NAP to End GBV evaluation. 

8.2.3 The evaluation plan for the NAP to End GBV evaluation will be jointly agreed with all provinces and territories in advance of the evaluation and will: focus on gaps and strengths in governance, coordination, and actions; assess progress toward short-, medium- and long-term outcomes; and examine the effectiveness and efficiency in the design and delivery of the NAP to End GBV. 

9. Public communications, Indigenous and stakeholder engagement

9.1 Joint announcements

9.1.1 Canada and British Columbia agree to collaborate in the development of communication materials and activities related to this Agreement. The Parties shall designate communications contacts responsible for implementing coordinated joint communications to the public.

9.1.2 Canada and British Columbia agree to participate in an announcement of the bilateral Agreement, which may include stakeholders, once the Parties have signed this Agreement. This must precede the announcements under Section 9.1.3. 

9.1.3 Canada and British Columbia agree to collaborate on communication products related to announcements of actions funded under this Agreement with a value of over $100,000. This includes individual actions with a value of over $100,000, or a collection of actions announced at the same time for a value of over $100,000 total. Canada and British Columbia can collaborate on communications products related to actions funded under $100,000, if agreed upon by both Parties. 

9.1.4 All efforts will be made to ensure that public communications related to joint announcements are mutually agreed to by the Parties. Where applicable, products shall include a quote from both British Columbia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity and Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality. For announcements related to specific actions, the Ultimate Recipients of the actions will be invited to take part. 

9.2 Individual communications

9.2.1 The Parties agree that its public communications (announcements and promotional material) related to the use of funding under this Agreement will acknowledge the financial contributions of the other Party. Wherever British Columbia’s visual identity is used (both online and physical), the Government of Canada’s visual identity must be used as well.

9.2.2 Notwithstanding Section 9.1, the Parties shall retain the right to fulfill their respective obligations to provide the people of British Columbia and Canada with information on this Agreement and on the use of funds through their own communication activities after the joint announcement with twenty (20) Days’ notice to the other Party prior to the public release.

9.3. Indigenous and stakeholder engagement

9.3.1 British Columbia is encouraged to engage with Indigenous peoples, official language minority communities, GBV advocates, stakeholders, and other interested parties throughout implementation of the actions outlined in Schedule B. 

10. Official languages

In carrying out this Agreement, British Columbia will take into consideration the needs of official language minority communities within the Province of British Columbia, in alignment with British Columbia's Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat - Francophone Affairs. 

11. Intellectual property

Any intellectual property developed as a result of the funding provided under this Agreement shall be owned by British Columbia. Annual reports submitted to Canada under this Agreement do not constitute intellectual property and belong to Canada. 

12. Partnership

12.1 The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement does not constitute an association for the purpose of establishing a partnership or joint venture and does not create an agency relationship between Canada and British Columbia, and that in no way implies any agreement or undertaking to conclude any subsequent agreement. 

12.2 Neither Party shall represent itself as being a co-contractor, employee, or agent of the other Party in carrying out its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

13. Amendments

13.1 Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality may be required to obtain approval of the Governor in Council under Section 5 of the Department for Women and Gender Equality Act before amending this Agreement.

13.2 This Agreement, including Schedules B and C, may only be amended by the mutual written consent of the Parties. Annex D may only be amended with the consensus of all jurisdictions who endorsed the NAP to End GBV. Annex A is for information only and may not be amended through this Agreement.

14. Dispute resolution

14.1 Dispute Resolution Mechanism

In the event of a dispute arising under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Parties agree to make a good-faith attempt to settle the dispute. If a dispute cannot be resolved by the Designated Officials identified in Section 18.2, then either Party may refer the matter to such senior officials as the Parties may designate for resolution.

14.2 Termination for breach

If a Party breaches the terms of the Agreement and the Parties are not able to resolve the issue in dispute under the dispute resolution process pursuant to Section 14.1, the other Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving at least ninety (90) Days of written notice to the breaching Party. 

14.3 Termination for no cause

Canada or British Columbia may terminate this Agreement for any reason, by giving one hundred and eighty (180) Days notice to the Designated Official identified in this Agreement (Section 18.2).

14.4 No payments after date of termination

As of the date of termination, if this Agreement is terminated by a Party under Sections 14.2 or 14.3, Canada shall have no obligation to make any further payments to British Columbia. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event that funding is terminated under the program, Canada shall reimburse British Columbia's Eligible Expenditures incurred up to the end date of that notice period. The funding obligations of Canada shall cease at the end of the notice period. 

15. Reduction/termination of this agreement

15.1 The Parties acknowledge that any payment to be made under this Agreement is subject to the appropriation of funds by the Parliament of Canada and to the maintenance of the current and forecasted program budget levels. British Columbia acknowledges that funding under this Agreement may be reduced or terminated at Canada’s discretion in response to the government’s annual budget, a parliamentary or governmental spending decision, or a restructuring or reordering of the federal mandate and responsibilities that impact on the program under which this Agreement is made.

15.2 In the event of a reduction or termination of the funding of the program, Canada may, upon giving British Columbia written notice of ninety (90) Days, reduce the funding or terminate this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event that funding is terminated under the program, Canada shall reimburse British Columbia for any Eligible Expenditures incurred up to the end date of that notice period. The funding obligations of Canada shall cease at the end of the notice period. If Canada reduces its contribution under this Agreement, Canada and British Columbia agree to review the effects of such reduction on the overall implementation of the actions and on this Agreement. 

16. Equity of treatment

16.1 During the term of this Agreement, any material changes to any of its Sections or Schedules, under any bilateral transfer payment agreement on the NAP to End GBV which have been negotiated, either under the original agreement or through amendments, addendums or otherwise, between Canada and any other province or territory of Canada, except the province of Québec, and which are more favourable than what was negotiated with British Columbia will, upon request, be extended to British Columbia. This amendment shall be retroactive to the date on which this Agreement or the amendments to such an agreement with any other province or territory, as the case may be, comes into force. 

17. General provisions

17.1 No current or former federal public servant or federal public office holder who is not in compliance with the provisions of the Conflict of Interest Act, S.C. 2006, c.9, with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment, members of the House of Commons or Senator who is not in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons or the Conflict of Interest Code for Senators, or anyone else bound by other values and ethics codes applicable to government or specific recipients, shall derive a direct benefit from this Agreement, unless the provision or receipt of the benefit is in compliance with the legislation or codes.

17.2 This Agreement shall constitute the entire Agreement between the Parties relating to its subject matter. 

17.3 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws in force in the Province of British Columbia.

17.4 In the spirit of transparency and open government, Canada and British Columbia shall make the entire Agreement, including any amendments, public by posting it on the Government of Canada’s and the Government of British Columbia’s website with the mention that the English version of this Agreement is the official version.

17.5 If, for any reason, a provision of this Agreement that does not constitute a fundamental condition thereof is deemed to be void or unenforceable, in whole or in part, that provision shall be considered severable and shall be struck from this Agreement; however, all other terms and conditions thereof shall continue to be valid and enforceable.

17.6 Information gathered by the Parties in carrying out this Agreement is subject to the applicable federal and provincial legislation regarding access to information and privacy. If the Parties share confidential information while carrying out this Agreement, the receiving Party will make best efforts to ensure the information is treated as confidential by that Party, during and after the period of this Agreement. 

17.7 Both Parties acknowledge that the other Party may publish any reports, audits, evaluations, or other documents produced in connection with this Agreement and any information contained in them that can be made public. Both Parties shall ensure that any public disclosure respects all requirements to protect personal information and third-party information.

17.8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the payment of money by British Columbia pursuant to this Agreement is subject to:

1. there being sufficient monies available in an appropriation, as defined in the Financial Administration Act (British Columbia) (the “FAA”) to enable British Columbia, in any Fiscal Year when any payment of money by British Columbia is required by this Agreement, to make that payment; and
2. Treasury Board, as defined in the FAA, not having controlled or limited, pursuant to the FAA, expenditure under any appropriation referred to in subsection (a) of this section. 

18. Notice

18.1 Any notice, information or document required under this Agreement shall be deemed given if it is sent by email. Any notice sent by email shall be deemed to have been received one working day after it is sent. Either Canada or British Columbia may change the address and other information set out below, provided that a written change of address notice is issued to the other Party.

18.2 Notices or communications addressed to Canada shall be sent to the Designated Official at the following address:

Department for Women and Gender Equality

Notices or communications addressed to British Columbia shall be sent to the Designated Official at the following address: 

Gender Equity Office, Ministry of Finance

19. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. An electronic PDF copy or facsimile with a Party’s signature shall be binding upon the signatory with the same force and effect as an original signature. 

Signatures

In witness whereof, the Parties have signed this Agreement,

 

Signed on behalf of Canada 
At Toronto
this 6 day of November 2023.

The Honourable Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality

 

Signed on behalf of British Columbia
At Victoria, BC
this 26 day of October 2023

The Honourable Katrine Conroy
Minister of Finance

Kelli Paddon
Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity

Annex A - National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Read the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.

Schedule B – Context* and year 1 actions (2023 – 2024)

*Please note that the Context has been provided by the Government of British Columbia and is not part of the Agreement.

Context

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue in communities around the world, including in British Columbia. Gender-based violence has deeply harmed women, girls and gender diverse people – from intimate partner violence to online harassment to being preyed on in public spaces. We are facing a devastating crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls here in B.C. and across Canada. Gender-based violence also disproportionately impacts other racialized women, newcomers and gender diverse people. We know that living in poverty or with a disability can further increase the risk of violence and leave people without the resources they need to be safe and supported. Too often, these experiences are normalized, silenced and erased. 

The B.C. Government has focused on building a safer, more inclusive and equitable province by taking significant action to break down barriers and create new opportunities for women and gender diverse people to reach their full potential. But there has also been a rise in hate and violence directed at people based on their identities, including their gender, perceived gender or gender expression. This is particularly true for women, girls and gender diverse people with intersectional identities – people who face discrimination and inequity because of multiple factors like Indigeneity, race, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or income – who are at greater risk of being targeted with violence. 

The B.C. Human Rights Commissioner’s recent inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, From Hate to Hope, documented a dramatic rise in the frequency and severity of gender-based violence during the pandemic, partly because public health measures designed to stop the spread also increased social isolation and limited access to personal and community supports, increasing the risk of violence and making it harder for survivors to seek help. The B.C. Human Rights Commissioner also drew a connection between gender-based violence and hate, noting evidence of increases in online hate in the form of sexual harassment, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia. 

Government of B.C.’s commitment to end GBV

Gender-based violence is preventable, but it will take all of us rising to meet this challenge head on. On December 10, 2023, B.C. launched Safe and Supported: British Columbia’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan. 

With this plan, B.C. is reporting on the vital work that has been underway and new actions– implemented in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous partners, and with advice from community service providers, advocates, survivors and their families – that will make substantial progress toward realizing a vision where every person in B.C. is free to pursue their dreams without the risk of being harmed just because of who they are. 

B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan is focused on four priorities:

• Increasing safety and supports for survivors
• Lifting up Indigenous-led approaches
• Breaking cycles of violence through prevention, healing and accountability
• Learning from and monitoring our progress

In 2021, the province issued A Path Forward: Early Priorities and Strategies for B.C. in response to the sacred work of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Developed in collaboration with Indigenous survivors, their families and other Indigenous partners, A Path Forward outlines key actions B.C. is taking in response to the National Inquiry’s 231 Calls for Justice. 

Safe and Supported: British Columbia’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan is not intended to replace work taking place under A Path Forward. Instead, the action plan will strengthen collaboration across government, and complement and further advance some key actions identified in A Path Forward, including core funding for sexual assault services, establishing new provincial policing standards for responding to sexual assaults, and providing further investments in the Path Forward Community Fund and other Indigenous-led initiatives that support safety planning, capacity building and culturally safe approaches and solutions to gender-based violence. 

Partners in ending GBV

Safe and Supported: British Columbia’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan was developed in dialogue with Indigenous partners, survivors, service providers and advocates. Engagements to inform B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan included provincial roundtables held in March-April 2022 with partners, advocates and service providers; Indigenous-led community engagements sessions in May-June 2023 with First Nations, Inuit, urban and rural, on- and off-reserve communities hosted by Naqsmist throughout B.C.; and engagements with Métis women led by Métis Nation B.C. in May 2023. 

In summer 2022, B.C. created a Gender-Based Violence Action Plan Advisory Committee that includes members from 20 organizations who represent the wide diversity of people impacted by gender-based violence in the province. Advisory Committee members have been instrumental in providing advice and guidance on this action plan, generously sharing their wisdom and expertise, and will provide continued advice and leadership throughout the life of this action plan and help the province monitor and evaluate its actions. 

British Columbia’s Implementation Plan for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

Through Safe and Supported: B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, the Province will continue to invest more than $60 million each year in stable funding to strengthen and expand services and programs that address violence against women, sexual assault and sexual abuse. In addition, the Canada–British Columbia transfer payment agreement on the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence will contribute a further $62 million in federal funding over four years to support this ongoing work. 

This funding will build on significant foundational investments already underway that will increase the safety, security and well-being of women, girls and gender diverse people, including $1.2 billion over 10 years to build and operate new transition housing, second-stage housing and long-term housing spaces for women and children leaving violence, the new $200 million fund to support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and historic new investments in child care.

Find more information on B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan.

Year 1 actions tables (2023-2024)

Schedule C – Canada-British Columbia's cost-sharing budget

1. Maximum amount of transfer payment

• Disbursements of the transfer payment to British Columbia will not exceed the amount(s) below, as per the payment breakdown and eligible expenses that will be incurred by British Columbia within the fiscal year in which they are allocated.

Table 7: Maximum amount of transfer payment

Fiscal Year	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27	Total
British Columbia Allocation	$7,848,000	$18,048,000	$18,048,000	$18,048,000	$61,992,000

• Canada’s fiscal year starts on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following calendar year. For each individual fiscal year, only the actions conducted by British Columbia between April 1 and March 31 of the following calendar year are eligible for the funding allocated for the applicable fiscal year.

2. Cost-sharing

• For the three Priorities outlined in Section 2.9 of the Agreement, a higher federal cost share for these areas could be provided, within an overall 50-50 cost share ratio for the full value of the Agreement. This would have to be met with a higher British Columbia investment in another non-priority area.
• A 50-50 cost share is encouraged on an annual basis. Should British Columbia wish to spread out the cost-sharing across the length of the Agreement in another method (within an overall 50-50 cost share ratio for the full value of the Agreement), this requires consensus from both Parties and British Columbia must inform Canada.

3. Stacking limit

If, between the date of British Columbia receiving funding and the Agreement end date, British Columbia receives any financial assistance in support of the NAP to End GBV from any federal government department, agency or commission that is in addition to the financial assistance, British Columbia shall:

• inform Canada promptly in writing of the additional assistance received;
• where British Columbia receives any additional financial assistance, agree that Canada may, at its discretion, reduce the amount of its funding by the amount of any additional assistance to be received; and
• where Canada’s funding has already been paid, Canada may, at its discretion require British Columbia to repay an amount equal to the amount of such assistance to Canada.

4. Tax credit

Canada does not reimburse the tax paid by British Columbia for goods and services for which British Columbia is entitled to a tax credit or reimbursement.

5. Overpayment

• Where, for any reason, British Columbia is not entitled to the transfer payment or Canada determines that the amount of the transfer payment disbursed exceeds the amount to which British Columbia is entitled, any such is recoverable by Canada.
• When British Columbia’s final report is completed and an overpayment is identified, British Columbia shall forward a reimbursement payment to Canada for the amount of the overpayment, payable to the Receiver General for Canada. The due date for the reimbursement shall be the date of the submission of the final report to Canada.
• When Canada or its representatives perform a financial analysis and an overpayment is identified, the overpayment shall be repaid to Canada no later than 90 days after the date of the notice sent by Canada.

6. Late claims

Canada will not be obligated to reimburse incurred expenditures or other costs after the end date of the Agreement as indicated in Section 3.1 of the Agreement.

Annex D - National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence expected results framework

Read the expected results framework.