Canada–Ontario 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 the Department 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 Ontario, as represented by the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity (hereinafter referred to as “Ontario”)

Hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Parties”.

 

Whereas, the Minister for the Department for Women and Gender Equality Canada’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 Ontario’s Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services includes helping to improve outcomes for children, youth, families, women and individuals who need support, and the mandate of the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity includes promoting women’s economic independence;

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 efforts currently underway to develop an integrated and effective approach to addressing gender-based violence in Ontario.

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, Ontario already supports efforts to prevent GBV and supports victims and families;

Whereas, Canada wishes to supplement Ontario’s investments, including new and expanded actions to end GBV under the collaborative framework of the NAP to End GBV, based on Ontario’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 Ontario;

and whereas Canada’s funding under this Agreement will be distributed to Ontario 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 Ontario agree as follows:

1. Purpose of agreement

The purpose of this Agreement is to support Ontario’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 “Eligible Expenditures” means expenses related to actions in Ontario’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 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)

2.9 “In-kind Contributions” means goods and services provided instead of money, or cash-equivalent goods and services Ontario 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.

2.10 “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.

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

• Actions under the five pillars and the foundation of the NAP to End GBV as prioritized by Ontario. While all Ontario’s actions must fall under the five pillars and foundation of the NAP to End GBV, Ontario’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 Ontario’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 Ontario’s obligations for reporting (outlined in Section 7.3) as outlined in Annex D.

2.12 “Ultimate Recipients” means organizations providing actions to address GBV under the Ontario’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 Ontario 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 Ontario in Section 5.1.1, shall be matched by Ontario through an overall, 50-50 sharing of costs. Canada’s allocation shall not exceed 50% of Ontario’s total funding for the purpose of this Agreement. 

4.1.2 Ontario’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 Ontario’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 Ontario as constituting any part of its 50% cost share under this Agreement must not be used as Ontario’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 Ontario agree that federal funds provided under this Agreement will only be used by Ontario in accordance with Eligible Expenditures included in Ontario’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and align with the guiding principles of the NAP to End GBV (Annex A). 

4.2.2 Where Ontario transfers funding to Ultimate Recipients, Ontario 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 total federal funding under this Agreement must be spent by Ontario on Priority area #1 -- increasing prevention efforts (as defined in Section 2.10).

4.2.5 Ontario’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 salaries) may account for a maximum of 10% of Ontario’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 towards Ontario’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 Ontario. 

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 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 Ontario

5.1.1 Subject to Parliamentary approval of appropriations, the maximum allocation by Canada to Ontario under this Agreement is $162,036,000, matched by Ontario, toward Eligible Expenditures in Ontario’s Implementation Plan. Ontario’s cost matching is further detailed in Schedule C. 

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

1. $18,684,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2023
2. $47,784,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2024
3. $47,784,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2025
4. $47,784,000 for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2026

5.2 Transfer of funds between expenditure categories

5.2.1 Canada and Ontario agree that, within each Fiscal Year of the period of this Agreement, Ontario 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. Ontario 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 Ontario, Canada shall communicate its objection within 30 Days following the issuance of Ontario’s written notification to Canada.

6. Payment

6.1 Payment conditions

6.1.1 After the Effective Date, Canada shall pay Ontario $18,684,000 for Fiscal Year 1 within twenty (20) Days for the first payment.

6.1.2 Ontario 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 Ontario’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 and will be made to Ontario within 20 days. 

6.2 Carry forward

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

1. Ontario 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 any amounts unspent by Ontario 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 Ontario upon Canada’s receipt of the 2026-2027 annual report, due by July 31, 2027, and confirmation that Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario shall provide Canada with an annual report for each Fiscal Year that this Agreement is active by July 31st of the following year. Ontario agrees that the annual report will include:

1. System-generated data to report on results for the indicators in Ontario’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and the Results Framework (Annex D);
2. System-generated data of the actual actions completed in the Fiscal Year against the actions in Ontario’s Implementation Plan;
3. System-generated report of Ontario’s actual Eligible Expenditures against the amounts in Ontario’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. 

7.3.2 Ontario shall provide Canada with the final annual report for each Fiscal Year that this Agreement is active by August 31st of the following year. Ontario agrees that the final annual report will include updates to clauses 7.3.1 (a), (b) and (c) as follows:

1. Validated data to report on results for the indicators in Ontario’s Implementation Plan (Schedule B) and the Results Framework (Annex D);
2. Validated data of the actual actions completed in the Fiscal Year against the actions in Ontario’s Implementation Plan;
3. A report of Ontario’s actual Eligible Expenditures and a financial statement that is prepared in accordance with Ontario’s financial authorities and/or regulations against the amounts in Ontario’s cost-sharing budget.

8. Audit & evaluation

8.1 Audit

8.1.1 Canada may choose to rely on the reporting requirements due by Ontario 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 Ontario, 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 Ontario. 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 Ontario 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 Ontario 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 towards short-, medium- and long-term outcomes; examine the effectiveness and efficiency in design and delivery to date; and use the information to inform implementation of the remaining years of the 10-year NAP to End GBV. 

9. Public communications & stakeholder engagement

9.1 Joint announcements

9.1.1. Canada and Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario agree to collaborate on communication products related to announcements 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 Ontario 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 Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and/or Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity as determined by Ontario 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 Ontario’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 Ontario 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 Ontario 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

Where it has been determined by Ontario that:

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

Ontario 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

Canada does not assert ownership of any intellectual property developed as a result of the funding provided under this Agreement. Annual reports submitted to Canada under this may be used by Canada for purposes consistent with its role as funder of actions under this Agreement.

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 Ontario, 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 Annexes and Schedules, may be amended from time to time in writing and as agreed to by both Parties:

• 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. 

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 Ontario 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 Ontario. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event that funding is terminated under the program, Canada shall reimburse Ontario’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. Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Ontario agree to review the effects of such reduction on the overall implementation of the actions and on this Agreement.

15.3 Successor agreement

The Parties acknowledge the importance of the 10-year NAP to end GBV and the services and supports funded under this four-year Agreement. The Parties recognize the need for discussions prior to any potential extension or renewal of this Agreement, and further recognize that approvals, including approval by the Parliament of Canada of appropriations, would be required to fund any successor agreement’s economic provisions.

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 Ontario will, upon request, be extended to Ontario. 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 Ontario.

17.4 In the spirit of transparency and open government, Canada and Ontario shall make the entire Agreement, including any amendments, public by posting it on the Government of Canada’s and the Government of Ontario’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 Ontario 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 Ontario shall be sent to the Designated Official at the following address:

Office of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity 

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, Ontario
this 10 day of October 2023

The Honourable Marci Ien
Minister for Women and Gender Equality

 

Signed on behalf of Ontario
at Toronto, Ontario
this 29 day of September 2023

The Honourable Michael Parsa
Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

The Honourable Charmaine Williams
Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity

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 Ontario and is not part of the Agreement. 

Context

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Ontario

Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right; unfortunately, gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality^{Footnote 1}  . Between November 2022 and November 2023, 62 women and children were killed in Ontario through gender-based violence^{Footnote 2}  . Due to significant health, social and economic impacts for survivors, families and communities, Ontario has witnessed a high demand for gender-based violence services and supports – resulting in a system facing service delivery, capacity, and workforce challenges^{Footnote 3}  .

The gender-based violence landscape is complex with multiple points of access across various sectors that can be challenging for survivors to navigate. It is important that those affected by violence and exploitation receive the supports they need, while perpetrators are held accountable through the justice system.

Government of Ontario’s Commitment to End GBV

Ontario is taking action to address and prevent gender-based violence in all its forms. Everyone deserves safety and security, and Ontario is working to ensure that all women and children can live free from the fear of threats, exploitation, and violence. 

In December 2023, Ontario released Ontario-STANDS: Standing Together Against gender-based violence Now through Decisive actions, prevention, empowerment and Supports.  This is a four-year cross-government action plan to respond to and prevent gender-based violence; build safer, healthier communities; and support the well-being and economic opportunities of women and girls. The plan builds on existing efforts in Ontario to address gender-based violence. This includes initiatives such as Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy and Pathways to Safety: Ontario’s strategy in response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The action plan focuses on:

• prevention and early intervention for intimate partner and family violence
• providing support to survivors and their children to help them access the services they need
• reducing the long-term impacts on individuals, families, and the service system
• increasing women’s economic opportunities 
• providing culturally responsive educational supports for men and boys to promote healthy relationships and disrupt attitudes fostering gender-based violence.

Ontario is investing $1.4 billion dollars in gender-based violence services and prevention over the next four years. This is further enhanced by Ontario’s $162 million agreement with the federal government through the National Action Plan to End Gender- Based Violence. 

Over the next four years, Ontario will implement key actions under the following five pillars:

1. Support stabilization of critical programs
2. Prevent gender-based violence
3. Improve transitions to recovery
4. Support safety and reduce recurrence
5. Promote economic security

Partners in Ending GBV

To deliver provincial GBV services, Ontario works closely with and funds Indigenous partners, sector associations/organizations, and front-line service providers. These important partners are instrumental to informing and helping to guide efforts in preventing and addressing GBV as they work directly with victims/survivors and their families. 

As part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to address GBV, Ontario plans to engage with key sector stakeholders and partners. Ongoing collaboration and partnership are critical as the province works towards ending GBV. 

Ontario will continue to work closely with all levels of government and community partners to build an Ontario that is free of violence and full of opportunities for all women and girls.

Ontario’s implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (NAP to End GBV)

Ontario’s NAP to End GBV Implementation Plan includes initiatives that span all pillars and priority areas under the NAP to End GBV framework. Ontario will strengthen the GBV sector by building on and enhancing existing programs and services. This includes enriching Indigenous-led approaches that address GBV through healing; health and wellness programming; expanding programs that foster women’s economic security; creating a more proactive system that drives innovative prevention practices; providing better supports for survivors of gender-based violence as well as their families; and ensuring reliable and timely access to culturally appropriate and accessible services.

In Year 1, Ontario is investing $18.7 million of NAP to End GBV funding to help prevent and address violence against women, which supports approximately 400 gender-based violence service providers across the province to help them hire more staff, improve services and increase their ability to provide services to women and children. Investments in the Women’s Economic Security Program and the Investing in Women’s Futures program will create more opportunities for women to build skills, gain employment and become financially independent, enabling them to leave situations of violence. Wraparound supports provided through these programs reduce barriers to women’s participation and success and may include transportation to and from the training program, support in finding child-care, and referrals to mental health and wellbeing supports, legal support, counselling and housing resources.

These initiatives will result in increased awareness and prevention efforts, as well as enhanced services and supports for victims, survivors, underserved populations, and populations most at risk of experiencing gender-based violence. 

Ontario’s NAP to End GBV investments for Years 2-4 will be guided by Ontario-STANDS to help end gender-based violence.  

Year 1 actions tables (2023-2024)

Schedule C – Canada - Ontario cost-sharing budget

1.    Maximum amount of transfer payment

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

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

3.    Stacking limit

• If, between the date on which Ontario receives funding and the Agreement end date, Ontario 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 provided by Canada in this Agreement, Ontario shall:
  • inform Canada promptly in writing of the additional assistance received;
  • where Ontario 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 Ontario to repay an amount equal to the amount of such assistance to Canada.

4.    Tax credit

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

5.    Overpayment

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