Government of Canada announces investment in women’s organization in Bas-Saint-Laurent

News release

August 27, 2019Mont-Joli, QuébecWomen and Gender Equality Canada

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 foundation 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, Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia, 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 $102,364 in the Centre femmes de la Mitis to develop a long-term plan to promote gender equality and advocate for systemic change in the region, improving the quality of life for women and families in Mont-Joli.

This organization is among 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 the country.

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. With stable and flexible funding, we are helping the Centre femmes de la Mitis in Bas-Saint-Laurent grow and thrive, 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

 “The Government of Canada is making this important investment in Mont-Joli and Bas-Saint-Laurent to ensure the Centre des femmes de la Mitis can provide the services and resources they need to improve the lives of women and families in the communities they serve. Funding for organizations like le Centre des femme de la Mitis have not always been easy to secure. With the federal government’s Capacity-building Fund, we can remove the anxiety that comes with economic insecurity and strengthen the women’s movement to promote gender equality and build a fairer and more equal society for all.”

Rémi Massé
Member of Parliament for Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia

“We are very pleased to receive this investment from the federal government. Providing effective services to the women of Mont Joli requires a consistent and reliable network, in person and online. Today’s funding will allow us to adapt those services according to the needs of the women we serve while providing the Centre femmes with consistent support for advocacy, education and in-house programs.”

Isabelle Gallant, Socio-political Officer
Centre femmes de la Mitis

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 equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million a year. 

  • 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.

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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
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-8684

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