Government of Canada supports survivors of gender-based violence in Québec

From: Women and Gender Equality Canada

News release

May 31, 2019 – Montréal, Québec – 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 the ability of these organizations to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality. And a crucial step toward equality is finally eradicating gender-based violence. We all benefit when women, girls and people of all genders are safe and free to live their lives to the fullest.

Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced the selection of five organizations based in Québec which will receive up to $4.49 million in federal funding to support survivors of gender-based violence. This includes people who have been underserved, such as Indigenous women and their communities, children and youth, ethno-cultural women, women who are newcomers, refugees or non-status, and women living with disabilities.

Minister Garneau highlighted the organizations that will receive funding (please see the Backgrounder for more information and testimonials):

  • Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan;
  • DisAbled Women's Network of Canada (DAWN);
  • Fédération des maisons d'hébergement pour femmes;
  • La rue des femmes de Montréal; and
  • McGill University.

Last year, Minister Monsef announced more than $50 million in funding for nearly 60 projects in communities across the country, including the one announced today, to support survivors of gender-based violence and their families.

Quotes

“With this investment, we are funding organizations which provide essential services to support survivors and their families in Québec. For far too long organizations engaged in doing this work have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. We are finally changing that reality and listening to those who best understand: leaders from the women’s sector. This funding opportunity was developed with them, and we are grateful for their ongoing advice which continues to inform Canada’s first Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. Leaders asked for more dollars over a longer period of time to meet the ever growing demand for their services, they asked for a simplified application process, and they asked for resources to help provide supports for the most underserved and marginalized survivors of gender-based violence. Our government listened. Gender-based violence must not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with survivors, community partners, the private sector and other orders of government to end GBV in all of its forms.”

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

“I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to end gender-based violence. If we hope to end gender-based violence we must provide the necessary resources to the experts and those who confront it daily. Our government’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence would not be possible without the knowledge, dedication, and hard work of the organizations and people here today.”

The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
Member of Parliament for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount

Quick facts

  • In June 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women Canada) announced the first-ever federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.

  • To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $200 million across government to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and their families, and create more responsive legal and justice systems.

  • The Promising practices to support survivors and their families call for concepts is the largest amount of funding ever announced for programming to specifically support diverse groups of gender-based violence survivors and their families.

  • 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 over $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 8,000 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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