Canada–Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia as represented by the Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act and including any person duly authorized to represent it (hereinafter referred to as “Nova Scotia”)

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 Nova Scotia’s Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women is to remain focused on work that ensures women and their children are safe from gender-based violence;

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;

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, Nova Scotia already supports efforts to prevent GBV and supports victims and families;

Whereas, Canada wishes to supplement Nova Scotia’s investments, including new and expanded actions to end GBV under the collaborative framework of the NAP to End GBV, based on Nova Scotia’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 to, with the approval of the Governor in Council, enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement on the Implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender- Based Violence with Nova Scotia;

And whereas Canada’s funding under this Agreement will be distributed to Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia agree as follows:

1. Purpose of agreement

The purpose of this Agreement is to support Nova Scotia’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 binding Transfer Payment Agreement on the Implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence, 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 “Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on April 1 of any calendar year and terminating on March 31 of the immediately following calendar year.

2.6 “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.

2.7 “NAP to End GBV” means the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (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)

2.8 “In-kind Contributions” means goods and services provided instead of money, or cash-equivalent goods and services Nova Scotia will contribute to actions under the NAP to End GBV. In-kind contributions could include rental space in provincially owned buildings given to an organization at no cost, administrative support provided by provincial employees, or providing materials to organizations.

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

• Actions under the five pillars and the foundation of the NAP to End GBV as prioritized by Nova Scotia. While all Nova Scotia’s actions must fall under the five pillars and foundation of the NAP to End GBV, Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan and other work in its respective jurisdiction in addressing GBV
• Outcomes expected to be achieved by the actions
• A data collection plan to fulfill Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia in accordance with this Agreement.

3.2 Subject to termination, this Agreement covers the activities 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 Nova Scotia in Section 5.1.1, shall be matched by Nova Scotia through an overall, 50-50 sharing of costs. Canada’s allocation shall not exceed 50% of Nova Scotia’s total funding for the purpose of this Agreement.

4.1.2 Nova Scotia’s cost share can include:

1. new investments;
2. existing GBV-related funding or investments; and,
3. where agreed to in writing by Canada, In-kind Contributions.

4.1.3 A higher federal cost share may be used for Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia as constituting any part of its 50% cost share under this Agreement must not be used as Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia agree that federal funds provided under this Agreement will only be used by Nova Scotia in accordance with eligible areas of investment. Eligible areas of investment are those included in Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and align with the guiding principles of the NAP to End GBV (Annex A).

4.2.2 Where Nova Scotia transfers funding to Ultimate Recipients, Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia on Priority area #1 -- increasing prevention efforts (as defined in Section 2.9).

4.2.5 Nova Scotia’s administration costs including costs related to central administrative functions that are drawn upon to support project activities but are not specifically part of delivering an action outlined in Schedule B (e.g., office equipment, IT maintenance, public sector salaries) may account for a maximum of 10% of Nova Scotia’s 50% cost share.

4.2.6 Activities 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 towards Nova Scotia’s administration costs described in Section 4.2.5.

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

4.3 Ineligible activities

4.3.1 Activities outside Canada

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

4.3.2 Costs 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 Nova Scotia

5.1.1 Subject to Parliamentary approval of appropriations, the maximum allocation by Canada to Nova Scotia under this Agreement is $18,322,000, matched by Nova Scotia, toward eligible expenditures in its Implementation Plan. Nova Scotia’s cost matching is further detailed in Schedule C.

Canada’s annual maximum allocation of funding to Nova Scotia shall be:

1. $3,118,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2023
2. $5,068,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2024
3. $5,068,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2025
4. $5,068,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2026.

5.2 Transfer of funds between expenditure categories

5.2.1 Canada and Nova Scotia agree that, within each Fiscal Year of the period of this Agreement, Nova Scotia may move funding between the pillars and the foundation of the NAP to End GBV outlined in its Implementation Plan in Schedule B to ensure the maximum use of funding, in accordance with Section 4.2.4. Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia, Canada shall communicate its objection within 30 Days following the issuance of Nova Scotia’s written notification to Canada.

6. Payment

6.1 Payment conditions

6.1.1 After the Effective Date, Canada shall pay Nova Scotia $3,118,000 for Fiscal Year 1 within twenty (20) Days for the first payment.

6.1.2 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia, and subject to the approval of Canada, funding amounts may be carried forward into the next Fiscal Year, under the following terms:

1. Nova Scotia may only use the amount carried forward to the next Fiscal Year for expenditures on eligible costs 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 the Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia upon Canada’s receipt of the 2026-2027 annual report, due by July 31, 2027, and confirmation that Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia 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 activities funded through its programs; this information is an important part of Canada’s accountability to Canadians.

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

1. data to report on results for the indicators in Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and the Results Framework (Annex D);
2. a report on the actual activities completed in the Fiscal Year against the activities in Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan;
3. a report of Nova Scotia’s actual expenditures and a financial statement that is prepared in accordance with Nova Scotia’s financial authorities and/or regulations against the amounts in Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia, 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 is determined in collaboration between Canada and Nova Scotia. Both Parties shall make available to the auditors, in a timely manner, any accounts, records, documents or information related to this project 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia 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 activities; assess progress towards 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 & stakeholder engagement

9.1 Joint announcements

9.1.1. Canada and Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia agree to collaborate on communication products related to announcements under this Agreement with a value of over $100,000. This includes individual projects with a value of over $100,000, or a collection of projects announced at the same time for a value of over $100,000 total. Canada and Nova Scotia can collaborate on communications products related to projects 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 Nova Scotia’s Minister of Community Services, Minister of L’nu Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act and Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality. For announcements related to specific projects, the ultimate recipients of the projects 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 Nova Scotia’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 Nova Scotia 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. Stakeholder engagement

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

10. Official languages

Where it has been determined by Nova Scotia that:

• The target clientele who are eligible to participate in a project to be carried out by Nova Scotia is composed of members of both official language communities, and
• The anticipated demand for project assistance by the target clientele in both official languages justifies the use of both official languages;

Nova Scotia will:

• Make any announcements to the public concerning the Agreement in both official languages;
• Actively offer agreement-related services to members of the public in both official languages;
• Make available in both official languages any documents or other information for the general public relating to the Agreement;
• Encourage members of both official language communities to utilize the services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement; and
• Identify the needs of both official language minority communities and provide its services, when appropriate, in such a manner as to accommodate the specific needs of both official language communities.

11. Intellectual property

Any intellectual property developed as a result of the funding provided under this Agreement shall be owned by Nova Scotia. 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 Nova Scotia, 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 can only be amended with the consensus of all jurisdictions who endorsed the NAP to End GBV. Annex A is for information only and cannot 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event that funding is terminated under the program, Canada shall reimburse Nova Scotia’s eligible costs 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. Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia for any eligible costs 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 Nova Scotia agree to review the effects of such reduction on the overall implementation of the project 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 Nova Scotia will, upon request, be extended to Nova Scotia. 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 Nova Scotia.

17.4 In the spirit of transparency and open government, Canada and Nova Scotia shall make the entire Agreement, including any amendments, public by posting it on the Government of Canada’s and the Government of Nova Scotia’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.

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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia shall be sent to the Designated Official at the following address:

Department of Community Services, Status of Women Office

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, ON 
This 21 day of September 2023

The Honourable Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality

 

Signed on behalf of Nova Scotia
at Halifax, Nova Scotia
this 11 day of September 2023

The Honourable Karla MacFarlane
Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act

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 Nova Scotia and is not part of the Agreement.

Context

The future we envision for Nova Scotia includes healthy relationships and equity, structures and systems that connect and support people, and communities where healing and well-being are prioritized. We want every Nova Scotian to be safe and secure in their homes, in public spaces, where they work, where they play, and online. 

The complexity of gender-based violence means there isn’t one single solution to solving it and that we all have a responsibility to make change. Through Standing Together, Nova Scotia’s commitment to prevent domestic violence, we fostered relationships that allowed us to work together with community organizations and government agencies to test new, innovative ideas to prevent violence and support those affected by it.

We learned that we need to focus on prevention to get at the root causes of gender-based violence and that men and boys are critical to that work. We also learned that we need to do better to ensure African Nova Scotians and Indigenous women and girls are prioritized, heard and supported in culturally appropriate ways. 

Our work to respond to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’Calls for Justice recognizes that Indigenous people will determine, develop and implement programming and service for themselves, their families, and their communities. We continue to work with Mi’kmaw women leaders to seek their advice and partnership and are working together to develop and implement a forward path for Nova Scotia. 

As we developed Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, we engaged with community partners who expressed a vision for a women and family-centred system to address the complex barriers faced by survivors of gender-based violence and their families. They also spoke about the need to improve prevention by engaging men and boys and to deliver culturally appropriate programs and services to underserved populations. 

Both Standing Together and our work to respond to the Calls for Justice align with -Nova Scotia’s Implementation Plan of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and provide us with a strong foundation to carry out the work to end gender-based violence.

Year 1 actions tables (2023–2024)

Schedule C - Canada-Nova Scotia cost-sharing budget

1. Maximum amount of transfer payment

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

  Table 9: Maximum amount of transfer payment

  Fiscal Year	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27	Total
  Nova Scotia Allocation	$3,118,000	$5,068,000	$5,068,000	$5,068,000	$18,322,000

• 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 Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia investment in another non-priority area. 
• A 50-50 cost share is encouraged on an annual basis. Should Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia must inform Canada.

3. Stacking limit

If, between the date of Nova Scotia receiving funding and the Agreement end date, Nova Scotia 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 disclosed in the application, Nova Scotia shall:

• inform Canada promptly in writing of the additional assistance received;
• where Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia to repay an amount equal to the amount of such assistance to Canada.

4. Tax credit

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

5. Overpayment

• Where, for any reason, Nova Scotia is not entitled to the transfer payment or Canada determines that the amount of the transfer payment disbursed exceeds the amount to which Nova Scotia is entitled, any such amount is recoverable by Canada.
• When Nova Scotia’s final report is completed and an overpayment is identified, Nova Scotia 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.