Backgrounder – National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

The National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence* is a 10-year framework to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV). It was developed in collaboration between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous partners, victims and survivors, direct service providers, experts, advocates, municipalities, the private sector and researchers to ensure it reflects the realities faced by communities across Canada.

The National Action Plan to End GBV consists of five pillars and a foundation:

Pillar 1 – Support for victims, survivors, and their families

Pillar 2 – Prevention

Pillar 3 – Responsive justice system

Pillar 4 – Implementing Indigenous-led approaches

Pillar 5 – Social infrastructure and enabling environment

Since 2022, the federal government has invested $539.3 million to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. This funding was delivered through 13 bilateral agreements supporting jurisdictional priorities of each province and territory, while advancing a coordinated approach to preventing and addressing gender-based violence across Canada.

Through a cost-sharing approach, provinces and territories must at least match the federal investment. Between 2023 and 2025, together, federal, provincial and territorial governments invested more than $1.3 billion to prevent and address gender-based violence across Canada.

Progress made under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

Key results include:

• In 2024-2025,
  • more than one million people accessed services such as counselling, housing, legal information, crisis supports, and community-based programs.
  • over 27,400 prevention initiatives were delivered and reached more than 377,000 people through education, awareness, and early intervention activities.
  • more than 230 resources were developed, and 38,000 people accessed justice-related services and supports, to help navigate the legal system.
  • Indigenous-led initiatives provided culturally appropriate supports and resources to more than 186,000 people.
  • over 28,200 individuals were able to access crucial supports to rebuild their lives, such as shelters and transition homes, family resources centres, and community-driven programs.

These results demonstrate the meaningful difference that investments under the National Action Plan are making in communities across Canada. By helping victims, survivors and their families access the supports they need, strengthening prevention efforts, improving access to justice, and expanding culturally appropriate services. The Plan is helping to build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities; where everyone can live free from violence and reach their full potential.

^{* Gender-based violence is a priority for the Government of Quebec, which has invested significant funds to end violence against women. However, although it supports the overall objectives of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the Government of Quebec cannot adhere to it because it intends to retain its full responsibility in this area on its territory. Through an agreement that respects its autonomy, the Government of Quebec receives federal funding to support the programs, initiatives, and services to end gender-based violence that it puts in place based on the needs of its territory.}