Today, Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced federal funding of over $2.77 million for seven projects that will improve economic security for women in Ottawa.

“These projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives. By funding organizations in Ottawa that work to eliminate the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success. Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone.”  

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

“Advancing gender equality is the right thing to do for our country and our economy. When women have more economic security, they’re able to participate more fully in society and be more productive members of our community. The funding announced today will have a long-term impact and improve economic opportunities for women in Ottawa for years to come. We are proud to invest in a future where gender equality will be the norm, and not the exception.”

Mona Fortier
Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier

“We’re very thankful for this new funding from the federal government. It will help us identify and seek solutions to the barriers for young women and gender diverse youth who are aging out of the child welfare system. For many young women who transition out of care without permanency, the journey to economic security and personal independence must be taken without strong family support. With today’s announcement, we can better collaborate with our partners to develop barrier-free programs, services, and policies that can empower these women to secure their financial futures.”

Cathy Murphy
Adoption Council of Canada

“We know that change takes time, but it also takes precious financial resources and a lot of groundwork. We help thousands of families to cope in a fast-paced society that is becoming increasingly complex and demanding in terms of what it expects from the average Canadian family. We have to adapt every day to these changes and are very grateful for the Government of Canada’s long-term investment in our organization’s project. We look forward to working in partnership with the Canadian Credit Union Association, Vancity and Secret Level Films to help low-income women attain more financial security.”

Kelly Stone, President and CEO
Families Canada

“We are thankful for the support from the Government of Canada. There is a critical lack of women firefighters in Canada and with this support, we will develop a coordinated strategy to remove the barriers to enable the full participation of women so that firefighters better reflect the makeup of Canadian communities.”

Louise Hine-Schmidt, President
Fire Service Women Ontario

“The world changes at a pace that often outstrips our ability to match skills with demand and the digital economy presents many challenges when it comes to skills and human resources.  Encouraging more women to seek careers in technology is a plan for future prosperity – not only for Canada’s digital economy but for the thousands of women and youth who want to have careers in the sector. The announcement of support from the federal government will provide us with the means to encourage more women to pursue well-paying, secure jobs in an industry that is putting gender equality at the heart of its human resources.”

Namir Anani, President & CEO
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) of Canada

“We are thankful for the Government of Canada’s support for our important work. This funding will directly support Inuit women within the post-secondary setting, providing them with more opportunities for professional growth, advancement and job security. With our combined efforts, we will create an accessible and educational environment wherein Inuit Women will thrive and prosper.”

Alyssa Flaherty-Spence, Board President
Inuuqatigiit-Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families 

“Inuit women in the resource extraction industry face unique challenges. With support from the federal government and our partners, we will work to address Inuit women’s economic security and prosperity in the industry and help put in place institutional practices to ensure safer and healthier workplaces.”

Rebecca Kudloo, President
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada

“Canada’s tech sector is growing faster than any other sector in the country and we expect to add over 200,000 jobs by 2021. Despite an interest and ability to succeed in the digital economy, women are still underrepresented. The funding we received today from the federal government will spur our national plan to introduce more diversity and inclusion into Canada’s STEM and tech sectors – something employers are asking for and supporting in a way that will bring positive, transformative change to our communities and our economy.”

Joanne Stanley, Executive Director
Women in Communications and Technology

• McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women’s participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.

• Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned on average just 88 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.

• Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.

• The Women’s Program at the Department for Women and Gender Equality supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.

• In October 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women Canada) invited organizations to propose projects that support women’s economic security across Canada by addressing some of the root causes of inequality, including barriers such as access to childcare, unequal pay and the gender wage gap. Through this call for proposals, entitled Support for Women’s Economic Security, more than 30 projects have been approved for a total of $10 million in funding. These projects will unfold over a period of three years, and funding builds on our ongoing efforts to support women’s economic empowerment and advance gender equality for all Canadians. 

• The second call for proposals, entitled Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women, invited organizations to foster collaboration between Indigenous women, Indigenous organizations, their communities, and the private sector to support the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women across Canada. Fifteen projects across the country will receive nearly $5 million in funding through this call for proposals.

• 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.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Adoption Council of Canada
• Families Canada
• Fire Service Women Ontario
• Information and Communications Technology Council of Canada
• Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families
• Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
• Women in Communications and Technology
• Department for Women and Gender Equality – Women’s Program
• Support for Women’s Economic Security
• Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women
• 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