Government of Canada invests in women’s organizations in Southwestern Ontario

From: Women and Gender Equality Canada

News release

May 23, 2019 – Strathroy, Ontario – Department for Women and Gender Equality

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. Yet for far too long they have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. The Government of Canada recognizes that women’s organizations are the lifeblood of the women’s movement and that maintaining and growing their ability to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.

That’s why today, Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility), and Member of Parliament for London West, and Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that the Government of Canada is investing close to $1.7 million in nine women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women in southwestern Ontario.

Parliamentary Secretary Young and MP Fragiskatos highlighted the organizations that will receive funding (please see the Backgrounder for more information and testimonials):

  • Canadian Federation of University Women London-Club; 
  • Hiatus House;
  • Huron Women’s Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Services;                                                                                                      
  • Perth County Transition Home for Women (Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services);
  • Réseau-Femmes du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario;
  • Single Women in Motherhood Training (S.W.I.M.);
  • The Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women;                                                                                                                
  • Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor; and
  • Women’s Rural Resource Centre.

These are just nine of the more than 250 women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada receiving funding under the Government of Canada’s Capacity-building Fund. This investment stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada.

Quotes

“With our 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 stable and flexible funding, we are helping these organizations in southwestern Ontario so they can 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

“Women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women make real, tangible differences within our communities across southwestern Ontario. With today’s announcement, we intend to demonstrate our continual commitment to supporting the effective resources and solutions that pave the way towards gender equality.”

Kate Young
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport and to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility (Accessibility)
Member of Parliament for London West 

“We are proud to support these deserving organizations and the vital work that they carry out in Southwestern Ontario each and every day. By investing in the organizations that support women and girls, we also invest in Canada’s future.”

Peter Fragiskatos
Member of Parliament for London North Centre

Quick facts

  • 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.

  • 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.

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Contacts

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

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