Women’s organizations provide vital services in our communities, supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society.

“With this historic investment, we recognize the women and women’s organizations breaking through barriers and express our gratitude to those who have been doing this work for decades on little more than a shoestring budget. The women’s movement across Canada has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work. Our government listened. With this stable and flexible funding, we are helping organizations in Scarborough grow and endure, because we know that investing in women’s organizations is the most effective way to advance gender equality. By supporting a movement that has achieved amazing results, we are growing the middle class, strengthening families and communities, and creating lasting change that benefits everyone.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

“Our government has been working hard to ensure that marginalized people across the country and in Scarborough have the resources and support they need to succeed and build truly inclusive communities. It is especially important to invest in organizations that support women because every dollar invested returns significant benefits to our community not only in gender equality, but in increased employment, entrepreneurialism, and self-sufficiency.”

The Honourable John McKay, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood

“The HSDC works with a diverse community of women in Scarborough. It’s so uplifting to know this funding will lead to capacity building initiatives that will allow it to broaden its reach and have even more of a positive impact on the lives of the women they serve.”

Salma Zahid, M.P.
Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre

“As a government, we have made a commitment to support women and children in need of emergency services including shelter and support following traumatic events. The additional funding from WAGE through the Capacity Building Fund, received by organizations in my riding of Scarborough-Rouge Park, La Maison d’hébergement pour femmes francophones de Toronto, and the Homeward Family Shelter also known as Julliette’s Place, is a welcome support. The work that these organizations provide for women and children serve as a pillar in our community for those who need it most. This, along with funding provided to a range of organizations across Scarborough, represents $1.4 million in investment into essential services.”

Gary Anandasangaree, M.P.
Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Rouge Park

• Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 proposes to invest a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, in the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s Women’s Program. This means that by 2023–24, the Women’s Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million annually. 

• This funding will enable women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.

• Gender-based violence can have lifelong impacts on an individual's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, the effects can be serious and costly. Annually, the economic impact of intimate partner violence and sexual assault is estimated to be more than $12 billion.

• Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3 to 6, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world’s largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls. 

• The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide and give voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 7,000 individuals—world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists—from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Capacity-Building Fund Call for Proposals
• Groupe Artisanal Féminin Francophone de l'Ontario (only in French)
• Heritage Skills Development Centre
• Homeward Family Shelter (Julliette’s Place)
• La maison d'hébergement pour femmes francophones
• Réseau des Chercheures Africaines (only in French)
• South Asian Women’s Rights Organization
• Women Deliver 2019

Braeson Holland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
343-549-8825

Valérie Haché
Senior Communications Advisor
Department for Women and Gender Equality
819-420-8684