Government of Canada announces investment in women’s and Indigenous organizations in Northern Ontario

From: Women and Gender Equality Canada

News release

June 24, 2019 – Sudbury, 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 the ability of these organizations to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.

That’s why today, Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that the Government of Canada will invest up to $2.7 million in seven women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women in Northern Ontario.

MP Lefebvre highlighted the following organizations that will receive funding (please see the Backgrounder for more information):

Aboriginal Peoples Alliance Northern Ontario;
Centre Passerelle pour femmes du nord de l’Ontario;
Chapleau, Hornepayne, Algoma District Women in Crisis;
Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres;
Sudbury Women’s Centre;
Sudbury Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA); and,
UCCM Anishnaabe Police Service.

Funding for these projects stems from historic Budget 2018 investments in both the Capacity-building Fund to support a sustainable women’s movement, and the Gender-Based Violence Program to address gaps in support for underserved groups in Canada that experience gender-based violence.

Quotes

“In making these historic investments, we recognize the women and women’s organizations that have long been breaking through barriers, and we express our gratitude to them for what has often been decades of important work, on little more than a shoestring budget. The women’s movement across Canada has been asking for too long for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work: our government listened. I am proud now, that with stable and flexible funding, we are helping organizations in Northern Ontario grow and endure, because we know that investing in women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women 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

“I am proud of the fact that our government has made women’s rights and gender equality a priority. Every Canadian should enjoy the rights and privileges of living in a modern, successful society where each person is treated equally and with respect. We will continue to work with women’s organizations in Ontario to ensure the vital services they provide are supported and maintained, for now and for the future.”

Paul Lefebvre
Member of Parliament for Sudbury

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

Associated links

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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Date modified:: 2020-11-26

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