Minister for Women and Gender Equality's appearance at the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women (April 1, 2022)
The Deputy Minister was also present and received the binder for this parliamentary committee appearance.
Opening remarks
Before we begin, I want to acknowledge that we are meeting today on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin nation.
Thank you, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to add my voice to support the calls for action to end intimate partner violence in our country.
I applaud you and FEWO committee members for undertaking your important study of this form of gender-based violence. Like any form of gender-based violence, intimate partner violence is a horrific human rights violation. These violations take a physical, psychological, emotional, and financial toll on victims and survivors and their families.
You have no doubt been appalled by statistics showing more than 6.2 million women in Canada aged 15 and over have experienced violence from an intimate partner, someone they expect love and support from, someone who they trusted.
It is also extremely disturbing that between 2014 and 2020, 458 women were killed by a current or former intimate partner in Canada. That is one woman every six days.
More recently, the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability reports that 173 women and girls were violently killed in 2021: that’s 13 more than in 2020 and amounts to one every two days.
Behind these abhorrent statistics are the stories of the shattered lives of millions of individuals, predominantly women and girls, whose pain and suffering are unthinkable.
In fact, over the past few years, the incidences of some forms of gender based violence have risen dramatically. It has been called the shadow pandemic of COVID-19.
The Government of Canada is determined to prevent and end gender based violence. We are working with provincial and territorial governments and organizations from coast to coast to coast to end intimate partner violence and other forms of gender-based violence because everyone has the right to live free from violence.
As some forms of gender-based violence soared during the pandemic, the federal government moved swiftly to ensure that those experiencing it continued to have a safe place to turn. Since April 2020, approximately $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding has been committed to organizations supporting those experiencing gender-based violence. This includes over $122 million that has already been provided to 1,300 women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations providing critical support and services to those experiencing GBV. Because of this funding, more than 1.3 million individuals experiencing violence have had a place to go and access to support during the pandemic.
For example, the Saskatoon Interval House was able to continue to offer programs to families in need as other opportunities to raise funds dried up due to the pandemic. The federal emergency funding allowed them to support families in hotels for a short period of time while they worked to find affordable and safe accommodations for them. They were also able to purchase equipment and programs to support their clients online.
In fact, Budget 2021 announced more than $3 billion over five years to advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence. Of that amount, $601.3 million is earmarked to advance the new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which Women and Gender Equality Canada is leading.
Madam Chair, while the National Action Plan will be developed around the needs of certain populations, every individual living in Canada, irrespective of their sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender will benefit from it. This sends a clear signal that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in this country. And that victims and survivors of violence can count on the support they need in their darkest hour. The Plan will focus on making sure that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to protection and services no matter where they live.
My Department is currently collaborating with other federal departments and provincial and territorial governments to advance the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
In January 2021, at the 38th annual meeting, with my provincial and territorial ministerial counterparts responsible for the status of women, we endorsed the Joint Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence – including a shared vision, principles, and goals for the National Action Plan. This declaration reiterates the longstanding commitments of FPT governments to eliminate gender-based violence and advance gender equality for all Canadians.
As we move forward, it is critical to acknowledge that Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples, specifically LGBTQ2 individuals, continue to face higher rates of intimate partner violence.
To address the pressing needs of Indigenous peoples, Budget 2021 announced $2.2 billion over five years and $160.9 million ongoing to build a safer, stronger, and more inclusive response to the ongoing tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Budget 2021 also invested $236 million over five years to expand work to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the military and to support victims and survivors.
These latest investments build on previous funding to prevent gender based violence, support victims and survivors and their families, and promote responsive legal and justice systems. You may recall that, in 2017, we launched “It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.” To date, the Strategy has committed approximately $786 million and more than $44 million per year on an ongoing basis to advance these goals.
Of course, money alone will not put an end to gender-based violence. Including boys and men, we all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence and ensuring a stronger and safer Canada.
I sincerely hope that this Committee’s valuable study will encourage us to move faster on this crucial path.
Intimate Partner Violence
Issue / question:
What is WAGE doing to address intimate partner violence in Canada?
Suggested response:
- This Government is committed to preventing and addressing gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, which is one of the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence.
- Through It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, several initiatives related to intimate partner violence have been funded, including:
- over $30 million in research on gender-based violence, including in a new national survey that provided the first comprehensive understanding of intimate partner violence in Canada (WAGE);
- Investments to promote healthy relationships (PHAC); and
- Investments to support Canadian Armed Forces members and their families who may be affected by gender-based violence (DND).
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased rates of some forms of gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence.
- Since April 2020, approximately $300M in emergency COVID-19 funding has been committed to organizations supporting those experiencing gender-based violence. This includes:
- Over $122 million provided to date to over 1,300 women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations providing critical supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.
- This funding is ensuring the continuity of services during this challenging time and enhancing the capacity and responsiveness of GBV organizations that provide critical and often life-saving services and supports for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people experiencing violence.
- Because of this funding, more than 1.3 million individuals experiencing violence have had a place to go and access to supports during the pandemic.
Background:
- Intimate partner violence is one of the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence. It refers to multiple possible forms of harm—physical, sexual, financial, emotional, or psychological, as well as stalking and coercive control—by a current or former intimate partner(s), dating partner(s) or spouse(s) and can occur in public spaces, private spaces, and via technology.
- Between April and December 2018, Statistics Canada (funded by WAGE) administered the first cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, the first nationally representative survey of its kind on gender-based violence. It collected information on Canadians’ experiences of safety at home, in the workplace, in public spaces and online. Data from this survey has informed the federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence and the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Planning is underway on the next cycle of this survey.
- In December 2018, the Government (Employment and Social Development Canada) amended the Canada Labour Code to provide five days of paid leave for victims of family violence working in a federally regulated sector.
- In March 2018, the Government (Justice Canada) introduced amendments to the Criminal Code to enhance victim safety and toughen criminal laws in the context of intimate partner violence.
- In June 2019, the Criminal Code was amended to enhance measures to better respond to intimate partner violence. The Divorce Act was also amended in 2019 to require that the courts consider family violence and its impact on the child. There are also other changes to promote the safety of family members who have experienced family violence. Divorce Act amendments came into force in March 2021.
- Budget 2021 allocated $11 million to WAGE for GBV research and knowledge mobilization, of which $1.2 million will be used to fund a femicide information database, in partnership with Statistics Canada, in 2022-23. This will allow for a valid measure and reporting on femicides in Canada. The database will link data from the Homicide Survey to court records and case outcomes, which will help understand how the justice system is treating these cases and more accurately identify
- The Globe and Mail recently highlighted the prevalence of intimate partner violence in Canada and gaps in Canada’s response, including a continued need for research and resources for those experiencing gender-based violence.
Key Facts:
- More than 11 million people in Canada aged 15 and over have experienced some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime—6.2 million women and 4.9 million men.
- Between 2014 and 2020, 576 people were killed by a current or former intimate partner in Canada. Women accounted for 80% of these victims who lost their lives to violence; 458 women were killed by an intimate partner over that period, or one woman every 6 days.
- Most recently, the Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability reports that 173 women and girls were violently killed in 2021, 13 more than in 2020, and amounting to one every two days. 89% of the identified accused were male. Of the 173 women and girls killed, 46 were determined to be intimate partner homicides but many more likely were; gaps in information about cases make the relationships difficult to discern.
- In Canada, intimate partner violence represented almost one-third (30%) of all police-reported violent crime in 2019. During that year, incidents perpetrated against women accounted for almost 8 in 10 (79%) cases and intimate partner violence was the most common kind of violence experienced by women.
- In 2018, 12% of women reported that they had experienced at least one form of IPV in the previous year—that’s almost 5,000 women per day.
- Young women aged 15-24 years report the highest levels of spousal violence, almost 2.5 times higher than women in general (29% vs 12%).
- Spousal violence is two times higher for Indigenous individuals vs. non-Indigenous.
- Children exposed to intimate partner violence are at increased risk of a wide range of psychological and behavioural problems including low self-esteem, depression and anxiety as well as increased risks of aggression, delinquency, violence and risk-taking behaviours
- While there are no nationally representative statistics yet on how IPV has changed since the onset of the pandemic, there is considerable evidence from law enforcement, child, youth and family services, helplines and other anti-violence organizations suggesting increases in frequency and severity of some forms of GBV.
- Many organizations providing intimate partner violence related supports and services have reported a significant increase in demand since the beginning of the pandemic. Others have seen a decrease in demand for their services, raising concerns that those experiencing intimate partner violence cannot or are not reaching out for help.
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
Issue / question:
What is the status of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence?
Suggested response:
- In 2019, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality was mandated to build on the ongoing work under It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, launched in 2017, and move forward with the development of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence will focus on ensuring that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to protection and services, no matter where they live.
- Budget 2021 included more than $3 billion over five years to advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence, including, $601.3 million over five years to advance towards a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- As highlighted in a recent Globe and Mail article on intimate partner violence, there are decades worth of recommendations from stakeholders on gender-based violence. These in addition to engagement with civil society, Indigenous partners, community leaders, and the ministerial Advisory Council on Gender-Based Violence have informed the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- The Government of Canada, through WAGE, is working closely with provinces and territories on the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, notably through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women.
- In January 2021, the FPT Ministers endorsed the Joint Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence, which confirmed the common vision, principles and goals for responding to gender-based violence, including through the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. It provides the overarching framework for the National Action Plan currently under development.
- As stated in the 2021 mandate letter, the intent is to finalize the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and begin negotiations with the provinces and territories within a year.
Background:
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
- In December 2019, the Minister for Women and Gender Equality was mandated to build on the foundation laid by the federal GBV Strategy and move forward with the development of a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- The December 2021 mandate letter reiterates the Government of Canada priority for a national action plan and mandates the Minister to “move forward with the development of a 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, begin negotiations with the provinces and territories within a year, and accelerate the establishment of a dedicated Secretariat.”
- WAGE is working closely with federal partners, as well as provinces and territories on the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, notably through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women. At their 38th Annual Meeting held in January 2021, the FPT Ministers endorsed the Joint Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence, through which they confirmed their common vision, principles and goals for responding to GBV, including through the development of the National Action Plan. In December 2021, at their 39th Annual Meeting, they agreed to continue their commitment and collaboration to advance towards a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.Footnote 1
- The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence has been informed by engagement with civil society, Indigenous partners and community leaders, the Minister’s Advisory Council on Gender-Based Violence, and over a thousand recommendations from stakeholders.
- Certain populations experience high levels of violence, such as Indigenous women and girls; Black and racialized women; immigrant and refugee women; Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, plus people (2SLGBTQQIA+); people with disabilities, and women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities.
Federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence
Issue / question:
How is the Government of Canada working to end gender-based violence?
Suggested response:
- Announced in June 2017, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence(the federal GBV Strategy) is the Government of Canada’s response to gender-based violence. It brings together the gender-based violence- related efforts of all federal partners, including Justice Canada, to form a whole-of-government approach to end gender-based violence in Canada.
- The Strategy has committed approximately $786 million over nine years, and over $44 million per year ongoing, to advance efforts to prevent gender-based violence, support victims and survivors and their families, and promote responsive legal and justice systems.
- The Strategy is helping to fill gaps in supports for diverse populations, including: women and girls; Indigenous women and girls; LGBTQ2 (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirit) and gender diverse individuals; women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities; women and girls with disabilities; immigrant and refugee women; children and youth; and senior women.
- The Strategy is also laying the foundation for a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
Background:
- Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive, deadly and deeply rooted human rights violations of our time, and the Government of Canada continues to be committed to preventing and addressing it. Gender-based violence is a significant
- Announced in June 2017, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence(the federal GBV Strategy) is the Government of Canada’s response to gender-based violence. It brings together the gender-based violence- related efforts of all federal partners, including Justice Canada, to form a whole-of-government approach to end gender-based violence in Canada.
- The federal GBV Strategy fills gaps in supports for diverse populations, including: women and girls; Indigenous women and girls; LGBTQ2 and gender diverse individuals; women living in Northern, rural, and remote communities; women and girls with disabilities; immigrant and refugee women; children and youth; and senior women.
- The Strategy encompasses all federal initiatives to prevent and address gender-based violence; however, seven federal departments and agencies received funding for specific initiatives:
- WAGE
- Public Health Agency of Canada,
- Public Safety Canada,
- Department of National Defence,
- RCMP,
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and
- Department of Justice.
- Since 2017, $786M in new investments and over $44M per year, ongoing from 2023-24, have been committed to advance efforts under the federal GBV Strategy.
- Key accomplishments under the federal GBV Strategy include:
- Launching the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking in partnership with a number of departments, including WAGE and Public Safety, and through which WAGE received funding to develop the Human Trafficking initiative;
- Launching WAGE’s Gender-Based Violence Program, which has provided funding to approximately 60 projects to develop and test promising practices to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence and their families; and
- Conducting 3 national surveys to establish baselines on the prevalence of different forms of gender-based violence, rovide a deeper understanding of gender-based violence in Canada, and measure progress over time (WAGE and Statistics Canada).
Supporting Women’s Shelters, Sexual Assault Centres, and Other Organizations Providing Gender-Based Violence Supports and Services across Canada during COVID-19
Question:
What has the Government done to support women facing gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Suggested response:
- The Government of Canada moved swiftly to ensure those facing gender-based violence have a safe place to turn during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Since April 2020, approximately $300M in emergency COVID-19 funding has been committed to organizations supporting those experiencing gender-based violence. This includes:
- Over $122 million in emergency funding provided to date, to over 1,300 organizations, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations providing critical supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.
- This funding ensures the continuity of services and enhances the capacity of GBV organizations that provide critical and often life-saving services and supports for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people experiencing violence. Because of this funding, more than 1.3 million individuals experiencing violence had a safe place to go and access supports.
Background:
- From the start, Canada’s COVID-19 response measures have been informed by a feminist and intersectional analysis, to ensure that our approach provides support to those who need it most.
- Through Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), the Government of Canada is providing approximately $300M in emergency COVID-19 funding to support those experiencing gender-based violence (GBV).
2020 COVID-19 Funding for Shelters and Sexual Assault Centres
- As part of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Government of Canada, through WAGE, distributed an initial $90M to shelters, sexual assault centres and organizations providing critical gender-based violence supports to women and children experiencing violence. Due to high demand, WAGE leveraged an additional $9.5M in existing program funding, bringing the total funding to $99.5M.
- This initial funding was distributed as follows:
- $36.24 million was provided to Women’s Shelters Canada to redistribute to women’s shelters, including Indigenous Off-Reserve shelters across the country (outside of Quebec);
- $40.83 million to Canadian Women’s Foundation to redistribute to sexual assault centres, women’s organizations, and other organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence (outside of Quebec), with $7.2M coming from WAGE’s grants and contributions program budget;
- $17.46 million to the Province of Quebec to redistribute to women’s shelters and organizations that support victims of sexual and domestic violence across the province, with $2.3M coming from WAGE’s grants and contributions program budget; and
- $5 million is supporting the mobilization of grassroots and community organizations to further coordinate and support their important work.
Budget 2021 Funding for Gender-Based Violence Organizations
- Budget 2021 committed $601.3 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, to advance towards the development of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. From this funding, WAGE will be distributing nearly $200M over two years, starting in 2021-22, to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of organizations that provide critical and often life-saving services and supports for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people experiencing violence.
- The Budget 2021 funding is being distributed as follows:
- $81.5 million to Women’s Shelters Canada to redistribute to women’s shelters across the country (outside of Quebec);
- $70.6 million to Canadian’s Women Foundation to redistribute to sexual assault centres, women’s organizations, and other organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence (outside of Quebec); and
- $44.4 million for the Government of Québec to redistribute to women’s shelters and organizations that support victims of sexual and domestic violence across the province.
- To date, over $122 million in total funding has been provided to over 1,300 organizations, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations providing services and supports to those experiencing gender-based violence across the country. Since April 2020, more than 1.3 million individuals had a place to turn to because of this funding.
- The following is a breakdown of the funding disbursed to date by province and territory:
Province | # of Organizations | Total Investment |
---|---|---|
Alberta |
132 |
$14,483,116 |
British Columbia |
216 |
$23,465,020 |
Manitoba |
59 |
$4,784,071 |
New Brunswick |
36 |
$4,609,046 |
Newfoundland |
33 |
$3,135,969 |
Northwest Territories |
6 |
$1,455,204 |
Nova Scotia |
37 |
$3,600,036 |
Nunavut |
10 |
$1,572,143 |
Ontario |
365 |
$40,615,532 |
Prince Edwards Island |
9 |
$550,106 |
Quebec |
347 |
$17,390,678 |
Saskatchewan |
50 |
$5,311,221 |
Yukon |
11 |
$1,268,336 |
Grand Total |
1,311 |
$122,240,478 |
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, And Two-Spirit LGBTQQIA+ Peoples
Issue / question:
What action is WAGE taking to address the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit (2S) LGBTQQIA+ people?
Suggested response:
- Violence against, and the disappearance and murder of, Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) People in Canada is an ongoing national tragedy.
- While accounting for about 5% of all women and girls in Canada, Indigenous women and girls accounted for 22% of female victims of homicide in 2020, with homicide rates five times higher than those of their non-Indigenous counterparts.
- The Government of Canada is continuing its efforts to end this tragedy.
- Last June, the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan and the Government of Canada’s contribution to this National Action Plan, the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (the Federal Pathway), were released.
- In January, WAGE launched a Call for Proposals to bolster the capacity of Indigenous organizations and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to provide gender-based violence prevention programming that focuses on addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
- This call for proposals is supported through the Budget 2021 investment of $55 million over five years and is a key deliverable under the Human Safety and Security theme of the Federal Pathway. It will also contribute to the goals and objectives of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
Background:
- A plan to implement the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ will be co-developed with Indigenous partners, with the goal of ending violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The work will address four interconnected thematic areas: culture, health and wellness, human safety and security, and justice and is the Government of Canada’s commitment through the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan.
- In addition to the Budget 2021 investment of $2.2 billion over five years and $160.9 million ongoing to respond to the tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, WAGE is leading a $55 million initiative to bolster the capacity of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to provide gender-based violence prevention programming aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
- This builds on WAGE’s past funding of over $13 million to more than 100 commemoration projects to help honour the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
- Both the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan will require coordinated and collaborative actions from several jurisdictions.
- The 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan was developed in line with respective jurisdictional responsibilities, and in close partnership with families and survivors, Indigenous partners, civil society, frontline service providers, municipalities, the private sector, and researchers. Considerations of the experience and knowledge shared by Indigenous leaders, partners, and communities through that process have also informed WAGE's work on the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- Moreover, WAGE led engagements and discussions with provincial and territorial counterparts; Indigenous partners and community leaders; WAGE’s Indigenous Women Circle; federal partners; stakeholders with women’s and equality seeking organizations and experts in key areas; victims and survivors; and members of the Minister’s Advisory Council on
- WAGE is working with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to ensure the two national action plans are aligned and complementary.
Coercive and Controlling Behaviours
Issue / question:
What work is WAGE undertaking to address coercive and controlling behaviour?
Suggested response:
- Everyone has the right to live free from violence. This Government is committed to preventing and addressing all forms of gender-based violence, including coercive and controlling behaviours.
- It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, the federal strategy that was launched in 2017, brings together the gender-based violence- related efforts of all federal partners, including Justice Canada, to form a whole-of-government approach to end gender-based violence in Canada.
- My colleague, the Honorable David Lametti, Minister of Justice, leads Canada’s important work to address coercive and controlling behaviour.
Background:
- Coercive and controlling behaviours is a cross-cutting issue that implicates other government departments, including Justice Canada.
- Coercive control describes a pattern of behaviours to instil fear and to control, monitor and dominate a family member or intimate partner. Coercive control can include repeated acts of exploitation, manipulation, intimidation, isolation, and micro-regulation of daily life that may be accompanied by acts or threats of physical or sexual violence.
- Experts have identified coercive and controlling behaviours as an increased risk for femicide. Children living in coercive and controlling environments have shown symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and school disengagement. Coercive control can occur in public spaces, private spaces, and via technology.
- Amendments to the Divorce Act came into force in March 2021 with a definition of “family violence” that includes coercive and controlling behaviour.
- There is no specific offence of “coercive control” however, some acts of coercive control are crimes, such as assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement, criminal harassment (stalking), and uttering threats.
- Bill C-233 is a Private Member’s Bill (MP Dhillon) to amend the Criminal Code to require a justice, before making a release order in respect of an accused who is charged with an offence against their intimate partner, to consider whether it is desirable, in the interests of the safety and security of any person, to include as a condition of the order that the accused wear an electronic monitoring device. It also proposes to amend the Judges Act to provide for continuing education seminars for judges on matters related to intimate partner violence and coercive control.
- WAGE is currently funding a project in Québec that will develop and implement a promising practice designed to improve the legal process and address systemic barriers, specifically among underrepresented groups of women who experience coercive control.
Gender-Based Violence in the Canadian Armed Forces
Issue / question:
What is the Government doing to address the issue of sexual assault and harassment within the Canadian Armed Forces?
Suggested response:
- While the Minister of National Defence is best placed to respond to this question, I would highlight that the Department of National Defence is a key partner in WAGE’s federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, which was launched in 2017.
- Through funding provided under the federal GBV Strategy, the Department of National Defence has increased supports for Canadian Armed Forces members and their families through enhanced Family Violence Advisory Teams and by increasing access to Sexual Assault Centre Programs.
- Budget 2021 included more than $3 billion over five years to advance initiatives that prevent and address gender-based violence, including $236.2 million over five years to expand work to eliminate sexual misconduct and gender-based violence in the military and support victims and survivors.
- As directed in my December 2021 mandate commitment, I will continue to work closely to support my colleague, the Minister of National Defence, to end discrimination, sexual misconduct and all forms of gender-based violence in the military.
Background
- As a key partner under Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, the Department of National Defence has received funding in Budget 2017 to enhance Family Crisis Teams to support members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families affected by violence by delivering a wider range of support services and programs in the areas of victim and perpetrator support, violence prevention, education and awareness tools ($4.0M/5 years and $0.8M/year ongoing).
- The Family Crisis Teams initiative completed its scoping processes, held national training for Family Crisis Team members, and has distributed funding to about 32 Military Family Resource Centres across the country as well as in Europe and the United States.
- Budget 2018 committed investments to enable the Department of National Defence to support sexual assault centres in close proximity to Canadian Forces bases so that members of the Canadian Armed Forces have access to a full spectrum of supports to address gender-based violence ($2.0M/5 years).
- Voluntary surveys of all active Canadian Armed Forces members by Statistics Canada highlight that:
- A greater portion of women of the Canadian Armed Forces experience sexual assault as compared to men (prevalence in 2018 was four times higher in the Regular Force and six times higher in the Primary Reserve).
- A greater portion of LGBTQ2 members experience sexual assault as compared to members who are not LGBTQ2 (prevalence in 2018 was four times higher in the Regular Force and Primary Reserve).
Gender-Based Violence in the RCMP
Issue / question:
How is WAGE supporting the RCMP to address and prevent gender-based violence?
Suggested response:
- As a key partner in It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, launched in 2017, the RCMP was provided funding for:
- Cultural Awareness Training for RCMP employees;
- Enhanced capacity to combat online child sexual exploitation and transnational child sex offenders; and
- Support for the Sexual Assault Review Team and Victim Support Action Plan.
- In order to prevent and address gender-based violence, I will continue to support my colleague, the Minister of Public Safety to accelerate action to reform the RCMP.
Background:
- As a key partner under Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (federal GBV Strategy), the RCMP has received funding for:
- Cultural Awareness Training for RCMP employees;
- Enhanced capacity to combat online child sexual exploitation and transnational child sex offenders; and
- Support for the Sexual Assault Review Team and Victim Support Action Plan.
- As part of this, the RCMP created the Sexual Assault Review Team to undertake an extensive review of “unfounded” and “not cleared by charge” cases and develop “The Way Forward – The RCMP’s Sexual Assault Review and Victim Support Action Plan” to guide RCMP and Sexual Assault Review Team initiatives.
- With support from WAGE, the RCMP’s Sexual Assault Review Team developed and launched courses for all RCMP employees and officers on reinforcing the use of a trauma-informed approach; victims’ and survivors’ rights; consent law; and the devastating effects of myths pertaining to sexual assaults. The Team also created a Sexual Violence
- The RCMP has also created and implemented divisional Sexual Assault Investigations Review Committees. These external committees provide an accountability mechanism and serve as an extension to the sexual assault investigation process, ensuring that investigations are trauma informed, thorough, timely, impartial and properly classified.
- In early 2020, the RCMP designed a course, Cultural Awareness and Humility, to increase knowledge, enhance self-awareness, and strengthen skills on how to work directly and indirectly with different cultures. WAGE participated in the RCMP-led consultations to develop this course.
Human Trafficking
Issue / question:
How is the Government of Canada working to protect those who are at risk of human trafficking?
Suggested response:
- The Government of Canada is committed to preventing and addressing all forms of gender-based violence, including human trafficking.
- In 2019, the Government of Canada launched the Public Safety-led National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, which brings together federal efforts under one strategic framework.
- The Strategy is supported by an investment of $57.22 million over five years and $10.28 million ongoing.
- In December 2020, the Government of Canada announced $22.4 million over four years to provide support to 63 organizations to implement projects designed to prevent and address human trafficking and support at-risk populations, victims, and survivors.
- Of this investment, WAGE is funding 41 projects, for a total of nearly $14 million and Public Safety Canada is funding 20 projects for a total of $8.4 million.
- In December 2020, the Government of Canada announced $22.4 million over four years to provide support to 63 organizations to implement projects designed to prevent and address human trafficking and support at-risk populations, victims, and survivors.
- Budget 2021 committed $105 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, for WAGE to enhance its Gender-Based Violence Program, including increased funding for initiatives to stop human trafficking and support for at-risk populations and victims and survivors.
Background:
- Examples of projects funded by WAGE include:
- The Women’s Centre for Social Justice is receiving up to $552,500 for a 37-month project to develop and implement promising intervention practices to advance knowledge and enhance empowerment supports for at-risk populations and survivors of human trafficking in Ontario, Alberta, Yukon, British Columbia and Québec. This will be achieved by developing and delivering a survivor-led, “train-the trainer” training program to front-line workers, hotel staff, healthcare workers, law enforcement and members of the media, as well as the community at large; by shifting the public discourse of survivors to focus on their strengths, resilience, and resistance within the context of human trafficking; and by partnering with agencies and organizations that are well-known for cultivating research, advancing knowledge and advocating in the field of human trafficking to conduct participatory ground-breaking research within the Canadian context.
- Sudbury Women Centre will receive up to $399,088 for a 37-month project that will develop and implement promising practices through the establishment of the Saving Our Sisters (SOS) Alliance Human Trafficking Intervention Initiative to advance knowledge and enhance empowerment supports for underserved at-risk population and survivors of human trafficking in Northern Ontario.
- Human trafficking is a gendered crime that disproportionately impacts women and girls, including Indigenous women and girls, Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) individuals, as well as their families and communities.
- In September 2019, the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking was launched by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, with investments of $57.22M over five years and $10.28M per year ongoing. The National Strategy includes a number of new and expanded initiatives by Public Safety; the Canadian Border Service Agency; WAGE; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; Public Services and Procurement Canada; and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada. It aims to:
- Empower victims and survivors to regain self-confidence and control over their lives;
- Prevent more of these crimes from taking place;
- Better protect those who are most at-risk of being trafficked;
- Prosecute human traffickers for their heinous crimes; and
- Embrace partnerships with provinces and territories and other organizations to maximize impact.
- Through the National Strategy, WAGE received $10M over 5 years, starting in 2020-21, and $2M per year ongoing to develop the Human Trafficking Initiative. The initiative provides funding to eligible organizations to develop, deliver and test:
- Innovative prevention programs for at-risk populations, including women and girls, Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people, children and youth, and
- Short-term continuum of care interventions to support victims and survivors while they transition out of human trafficking, reintegrate into their communities, and begin their healing and recovery process.
- Following a July 2020 call for proposals, on December 15, 2020, the Government of Canada announced $22.4M over four years to provide support to 63 organizations to implement projects designed to prevent and address human trafficking and support at-risk populations, victims and survivors. Of this investment, WAGE is funding 41 projects, for a total of nearly $13.6M (with additional funds leveraged from the Women’s Program). Public Safety is funding the rest.
- Budget 2021 included $105M over five years for WAGE to enhance its Gender-Based Violence Program, with funding going to initiatives that engage men and boys, and increase funding for initiatives to stop human trafficking, including support for at-risk populations and victims and survivors. It will also provide support for testing and implementing best practices to address gender-based violence, with a focus on projects that could be scaled at the national level.
- The Government of Canada also provides ongoing funding to the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking to administer the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline. The Hotline is a national, multilingual (200 languages, including 27 Indigenous languages), 24/7/365 service and offers referrals to supports and services to victims and survivors.
- As part of its National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the Government of Canada also implemented an enhanced international engagement approach to better leverage multilateral and bilateral partnerships in addressing this crime.
Youth/Teen Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships
Issue / question:
What resources is WAGE putting towards prevention of toxic behaviours, particularly among teens?
Suggested response:
- This Government is committed to preventing and addressing all forms of gender-based violence, including youth/teen dating violence.
- While the Public Health Agency of Canada leads the Government of Canada’s efforts to promote healthy relationships, WAGE also takes action through the federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, which was launched in 2017.
- WAGE is currently funding projects that contribute to the promotion of healthy relationships amongst youth in Canada.
- WAGE is also developing a youth awareness campaign on gender-based violence that is focused on youth aged 14-24. The campaign will include support resources for youth and information on sexual violence, consent, and healthy relationships.
Background:
- Youth/teen dating violence and healthy relationships is a cross-cutting issue that implicates other government departments, including the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- WAGE takes action to promote healthy relationships through its federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence:
- WAGE is currently in the process of developing a youth awareness campaign on gender-based violence that is focused on youth aged 14-24.
- As part of the campaign, materials will be developed with the input of youth from various communities. In addition, a youth focused section for the GBV Knowledge Centre platform is in development. This new youth section will include support resources for youth; information on sexual violence and consent; and on healthy relationships.
- WAGE is currently funding two projects led by White Ribbon that contribute to the promotion of healthy relationships.
- The first project will receive up to $664,745 between August 2021 and March 2024, to develop and implement best practices and resources created by the Ontario’s education sectors to scale up in other parts of Canada and in Ontario’s Catholic system to address the root causes of gender-based violence.
- The second project focuses on promoting gender equality and preventing violence by engaging youth, especially young men, in their communities to build their capacity to challenge rigid gender norms and stereotypes. The project will run from February 2021 to August 2022 and will receive up to $499,519.
- WAGE recently provided $696K to the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada which will take action to ensure that sexual health education programs are more effective in addressing persistent harmful gender norms and attitudes among youth and reducing the occurrence of gender-based violence. This project will be funded between November 2021 and March 2021.
Engaging Men and Boys
Issue / question:
What work are you doing to engage men and boys on the issue of gender-based violence?
Suggested response:
- WAGE leads several activities to engage men and boys as allies in advancing gender equality and ending gender-based violence.
- In 2018, WAGE held a series of roundtables on how to engage men and boys in advancing gender equality, which led to a “What We Heard Report” that has informed WAGE’s work to date.
- Since 2015, WAGE provided $16.3 million to 40 organizations to engage men and boys.
- Budget 2021 provided $105 million for WAGE to enhance its Gender-Based Violence Program, including funding for
- Engaging men and boys in gender-based violence prevention is also a key area for action in the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
Background:
- Governments and civil society, internationally and domestically, increasingly recognize that men and boys must be engaged as allies, partners, and co-beneficiaries of gender equality to create real and lasting change.
- Since 2018, WAGE has led several activities to engage men and boys as allies in advancing gender equality and
- In 2018, WAGE held a series of roundtables on how to engage men and boys in advancing gender equality, which led to a “What We Heard Report” that was published in 2019. This report highlighted four main themes that were raised during the discussions:
- Identify persistent behaviors that contribute to inequality to start unlearning them;
- Challenge and change negative norms, attitudes, and behaviors through accountability and healing;
- Sustain efforts to engage men and boys in equality through building networks, sharing knowledge, and taking action; and
- Ensure accountability and be aware of resource scarcity – engaging men and boys should not hinder funding for women and girls, and efforts should acknowledge the leadership of women’s and LGBTQ2 movements in equality-seeking efforts.
- In 2019, WAGE provided $560K to four organizations to carry out work to engage men and boys:
- Next Gen Men ($125K), to build a network for pro-feminist leaders;
- Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters ($212K), to promote sports figures as role models to increase awareness of GBV;
- Catalyst Canada ($100K), to support men as disrupters of sexism in the workplace; and
- FOXY ($125K), to engage Indigenous youth, particularly young men and boys, on gender equality.
- Currently, WAGE is funding the University of Calgary ($176K) to identify strategies, practical approaches, and supporting evidence on how to engage and men and boys in advancing gender equality and preventing GBV. This is expected to wrap up in fall 2022. WAGE is also funding White Ribbon ($1.165M) to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of a social marketing campaign to inspire men and young men across Canada to change their attitudes and behaviors, to seek help when needed, and to embrace their roles as allies and change makers.
- Budget 2021 provided $105 million for WAGE to enhance its Gender-Based Violence Program, including funding for initiatives that engage men and boys.
- The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence will recognize the role of men and boys in addressing gender-based violence.
Mandate Overview
Question:
What are WAGE's priorities with respect to advancing gender equality?
Suggested response:
- The Department of Women and Gender Equality will continue to advance equality through the inclusion of all women and members of LGBTQ2 communities in Canadian society.
- WAGE is committed to advancing gender equality through key commitments, including:
- Advancing the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence;
- Delivering the first federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan;
- Leading an evaluation process for gender-based analysis plus so that it better captures the lived experiences of all Canadians;
- Sustaining historic Government funding commitments to Canadian women’s organizations and equality-seeking groups; and
- Creating a Menstrual Equity Fund to ensure that menstrual products are available to vulnerable populations.
- WAGE will also support other Department’s key commitments as they advance gender equality with respect to economic participation and prosperity, including economic recovery, leadership and democratic participation, and poverty reduction, health and well-being.
Background:
- Women and Gender Equality Canada is mandated to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders. Its mandate also formalizes the promotion and increasing understanding of GBA Plus, an intersectional tool for developing responsive and inclusive initiatives that meet the needs of diverse groups of people, and for advancing equality and inclusion.
- WAGE is committed to advancing gender equality through key commitments, such as:
- Developing the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, beginning provincial and territorial negotiations, and accelerating the creation of a dedicated Secretariat;
- Launching the Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan;
- Sustaining historic funding commitments to Canadian women’s organizations and equality-seeking groups, with a focus on Indigenous women, women with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2 communities and newcomer, racialized and migrant women;
- Establishing a Menstrual Equity Fund for women’s shelters, not-for-profits, charities, community-based organizations, and youth-led organizations across Canada to make menstrual products available to vulnerable women; and
- Leading the evaluation process of GBA Plus with a view to enhancing the framing and parameters of this analytical tool and with particular attention to the intersectional analysis of race, Indigeneity, rurality, disability and sexual identity, among other characteristics.
- The department will also support other Ministers as they advance gender equality with respect to economic participation and prosperity, including economic recovery, leadership and democratic participation, and poverty reduction, health and well-being, particularly as it relates to:
- Implementing the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan;
- Accelerating action to reform the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP);
- Expanding Canada’s efforts to advance gender equality and LGBTQ2 rights abroad;
- Accelerating the review of the Employment Equity Act and ensure timely implementation of improvements;
- Introducing amendments to the Income Tax Act to make anti-abortion organizations that provide dishonest counselling to pregnant women about their rights and options ineligible for charitable status;
- Expanding the Medical Expense Tax Credit to include costs reimbursed to surrogate mothers for IVF expenses;
- Work to ensure that all Canadians have access to the sexual and reproductive health services they need, no matter where they live;
- Creating a community stream to the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy’s Ecosystem Fund to support smaller community-level organizations providing mentorship to diverse women; and,
- Advancing the creation and sustainability of a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system.
Budget 2021 Investments for Women and Gender Equality
- $105M over 5 years to enhance the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Program, for initiatives to engage men and boys; stop human trafficking, support at-risk populations and survivors, and provide support for implementing best practices.
- $55M over 5 years to bolster the capacity of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to provide GBV prevention programming that is aimed at addressing the root causes of violence.
- $200M over 2 years to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of GBV organizations that provide services and supports for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people experiencing violence.
- $30M over 5 years so that crisis hotlines can serve the urgent needs of more Canadians and offer more robust services, resources and supports to those experiencing GBV.
- $11M over 5 years for GBV research and knowledge mobilization.
- $14M over 5 years for a dedicated secretariat to coordinate ongoing work on the development and implementation of the GBV Action Plan.
- $15M over 3 years to deliver a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund to support community-informed initiatives that overcome key issues facing LGBTQ2 communities.
- $7.1M over 3 years to continue to support the LGBTQ2 Secretariat’s work, including community engagement and to enable the continued development of an LGBTQ2 Action Plan
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)
Issue / question:
What is the government doing to improve the implementation of GBA Plus?
Suggested response:
- The COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing inequalities and shed light on the needs of diverse people.
- Women and Gender Equality Canada will continue to support ministers in reinforcing GBA Plus as part of their portfolios to advance gender equality and inclusion. This includes:
- Supporting the application of GBA Plus as a mandatory part of key decision-making processes, including Memoranda to Cabinet, regulations, and throughout the federal budgeting process.
- Strengthening capacity to apply GBA Plus by developing tools and training for the public service.
- We will also continue to work with partners and equality-seeking organizations across Canada to ensure that tools like GBA Plus are helping ensure an equitable Canada for all.
Background:
- Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is an analytical tool used to support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative and how, identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted, and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography, language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
- As a centre of expertise, Women and Gender Equality Canada strives to:
- Increase awareness, understanding of, and commitment to GBA Plus as a key lever for gender equality, diversity and inclusion;
- Provide guidance, develop tools and training, and create and strengthen existing infrastructure to enhance capacity and improve expertise for GBA Plus across federal departments and agencies and in other gender and inclusion mainstreaming initiatives;
- Strengthen an evidence-based approach by increasing capacity for GBA Plus and related tools/techniques, including gender budgeting, to assess differential impacts through the application of GBA Plus to identify issues and inform priorities;
- Broker relationships and create channels and forums between a broad range of actors to capture new knowledge, including finding and disseminating good practices; and
- Act as a hub for GBA Plus knowledge and expertise and create spaces and opportunities to harness new ideas to develop solutions and enable innovation.
- GBA Plus training is available in both official languages to government officials and to the general public through the Introduction to GBA Plus online course on the Department’s website. Additional training is available through the Canada School of Public Service.
- Federal departments and agencies are currently required to integrate GBA Plus into all Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions, federal budget proposals, and regulations. Further, GBA Plus is now included in key legislation, including, the Impact Assessment Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Accessible Canada Act. In addition, through annual Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, all federal departments and agencies are required to apply GBA Plus to existing program expenditures.
- Various governance structures have been put in place to support departments and agencies and ensure they remain accountable for their GBA Plus requirements. This includes a GBA Plus Champions Network and an Interdepartmental Committee on GBA Plus. Further, capacity to undertake robust GBA Plus continues to grow with the availability of more intersectional and disaggregated data allowing for more robust analysis
- In April 2021, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) publicly released their performance audit plan for the 2021-22 year, which included an audit of GBA Plus and Inclusiveness. The audit will be the third audit of GBA Plus by the OAG. Previous audits were conducted in 2009 and in 2015. The final report for the 2021-22 audit is anticipated to be tabled by the Auditor General in 2022.
- In response to the gaps identified by the OAG 2015 audit, WAGE, in collaboration with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and the Privy Council Office, have worked to advance GBA Plus through the 2016-2020 Action Plan. Notable achievements in the plan include:
- GBA Plus is now mandatory in all Treasury Board Submissions, Memoranda to Cabinet, Departmental Results Frameworks and Reports, and is reflected in the Cabinet Directive on Regulations;
- TBS and WAGE developed guidance on integrating GBA Plus into evaluations, which was published in 2019;
- The 2018 Canadian Gender Budgeting Act enshrined the application of GBA Plus in federal budgetary and financial processes;
- WAGE introduced an annual GBA Plus Implementation Survey in 2016 to monitor progress on GBA Plus across federal departments;
- In November 2018, WAGE hosted the first GBA Plus Forum, which had 1,000 participants online and in-person. The Forum generated important insights for advancing GBA Plus, including the need for: inclusive consultation and participation of impacted groups; greater cultural competency; more awareness of the various factors to consider when doing GBA Plus; improved accountability; increased capacity for rigorous and intersectional analysis; and the establishment of a central focal point (Centre for Excellence) to facilitate ongoing progress on GBA Plus implementation; and
- In September 2018, the Government launched Statistics Canada’s Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics in response to the growing demand for better intersectional data. The Centre houses quick facts, statistics and recent analysis related to gender equality and diversity.
Advancing LGBTQ2 Equality
Question: How is the Government advancing equality for LGBTQ2 Canadians?
Suggested response:
- Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression continues to be a reality in Canada, and it must be eliminated.
- I am proud to say that through the unanimous support of this bill by all Parliamentarians, the government has achieved its commitment to ban the practice of conversion therapy, regardless of age.
- The government is working hard to launch the first federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan. The Action Plan will guide work to address key priority areas that support LGBTQ2 communities.
- This work builds on historic investments for LGBTQ2 communities. Budget 2019 invested $20 million to enhance the capacity of LGBTQ2 organizations. Budget 2021 included an additional $15 million for a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund to support community initiatives that further LGBTQ2 equality.
Background:
Federal LGBTQ2 Secretariat
- On October 26, 2021, the Government of Canada issued an Order in Council to transfer the control and supervision of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat from Canadian Heritage to the Department for Women and Gender Equality.
- Budget 2021 included $7.1 million over three years to continue to support the work of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat and enable the continued development of an LGBTQ2 Action Plan.
- The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth’s December 2021 mandate letter includes a commitment to continue the work of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat in promoting LGBTQ2 equality at home and abroad, protecting LGBTQ2 rights and addressing discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities, building on the passage of Bill C-4, which criminalized conversion therapy.
Conversion Therapy
- The government fulfilled its commitment to re-introduce conversion therapy legislation within its first 100 days in office, to eliminate the practice of conversion therapy for everyone, including those over 18 years of age. This legislation received royal assent on December 8, 2021, and officially became law in Canada on January 7, 2022.
- According to a recently released study, up to 20% of Canadian gay, bisexual, transgender and Two-Spirit men have experienced conversion change efforts – of these, approximately 40%, or 47,000 individuals across the country experienced a conversion therapy-related practice, service, or treatment. While many trans and non-binary people have also experienced conversion therapy or change efforts related to their gender identity or expression, limited data is available to quantify the breadth of this reality.
LGBTQ2 Action Plan
- On November 27, 2020, the government launched a consultation process with LGBTQ2 communities to inform the first federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan. A national online survey, in the field from November 27, 2020 to February 28, 2021, received over 25,000 responses.
- Engagement activities also included written submissions from diverse organizations representing and/or serving LGBTQ2 communities, and a series of roundtable discussions with community leaders, organizations and researchers.
- The Action Plan is being developed through an intersectional lens and will identify concrete measures to respond to key priorities of LGBTQ2 communities in Canada, including Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ communities, and Black and racialized LGBTQ2 communities.
- The launch of the Action Plan will contribute to the promotion of LGBTQ2 equality, protecting LGBTQ2 rights, and addressing longstanding discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities. The Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth’s December 2021 mandate letter includes a commitment to launch the Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan.
Funding for LGBTQ2 Community Organizations
- Budget 2019 provided $20 million over three years to enhance the capacity of LGBTQ2 organizations. Initial funding was distributed to seven leading organizations through the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund, and was subsequently increased for a total of over $4.9 million:
- Fierté Canada Pride ($650,000)
- Conseil québécois LGBT ($549,963)
- The Enchanté Network ($1,505,000)
- Egale Canada Human Rights Trust ($899,361)
- Rainbow Refugee Society ($582,466)
- 2 Spirits in Motion Foundation ($650,000)
- Canadian Trans Network ($99,984)
- In March 2020, a call for proposal was launched across the country to distribute the remainder of the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. In February 2021, the Government of Canada announced funding for 76 LGBTQ2 community-led projects across Canada through the Fund. Of these, 70 were new projects and 6 were amendments for the organizations funded in 2019.
- Budget 2021 announced $15 million over three years, for a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund to support community-informed initiatives that address key issues facing LGBTQ2 communities.
Ending the blood deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Health Canada regulates the blood system and as the regulator, maintains an arm’s length relationship with Canadian Blood Services (CBS), which serves provinces and territories other than Québec, and Héma-Québec (HQ), which serves the Province of Québec. Health Canada has no authority to direct CBS and HQ to make changes to donor policies for reasons other than maintaining safety. Rather, Health Canada must await an application from the CBS and HQ seeking to change regulations. These applications must be supported by evidence obtained through scientific research. The Government of Canada has invested in this research.
- In May 2019, Health Canada approved a request by CBS and HQ to reduce the deferral period for blood donation for MSM from one year to three months.
- In recent months, the CBS has publicly affirmed its intention to remove the current deferral period for MSM, to stop asking men if they’ve had sex with another man and instead transition to a high-risk sexual behaviour-based screening for all donors. CBS made a submission recommending this change to Health Canada in December 2021. According to its public statements, HQ remains open to further reductions once scientific evidence is available. In December 2021, HQ made a submission to Health Canada to allow a man who is sexually active with a single partner of the same sex to donate plasma.
- On March 24, 2022, Health Canada authorized Héma-Québec’s submission to change their source plasma donor screening criteria. This decision will enable Héma-Québec to shift to a behaviour-based model that screens all source plasma donors for high-risk sexual behaviours, and away from the current three-month plasma donor deferral period for sexually active men who have sex with men.
- Health Canada intends to set up an expert advisory panel to review the Canada Blood Services submission. The panel is expected to be convened in early May 2022 and provide advice on technical questions raised during Health Canada’s review of the submission.
Other actions to Increase LGBTQ2 Equality
- In addition, the Government of Canada has taken the following concrete actions to address existing inequalities:
- In 2018, the Government passed the Expungement of Historically Unjust Convictions Act, which established a procedure for expunging certain historically unjust same-sex sexual convictions (including gross indecency, buggery, anal intercourse, and other offences under the National Defense Act). In 2018, a historic Class Action Settlement was reached following the 2016 nation-wide class action lawsuit launched by survivors of the LGBT Purge.
- In 2017, the Government of Canada amended the Canadian Human Rights Act to include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination.
- In 2017, the LGBTQ2 Secretariat was created to support the first Special Advisor role on LGBTQ2 issues.
- In 2017, the Prime Minister delivered a formal apology to survivors of the LGBT Purge and to LGBTQ2 communities in Canada more broadly for their historical unjust treatment.
- In 2016, section 159 (anal intercourse) was repealed from the Criminal Code, removing discriminatory provisions.
- Canada is a global leader in advancing LGBTI rights. This includes its role as co-chair of the Review of Laws and Policies working group in the Equal Rights Coalition. Targeted programming includes advancing LGBTI rights internationally through the Feminist International Assistance Policy (announced February 2019, $30M over five years and $10M ongoing).
Funding Overview
Issue:
How does Women and Gender Equality Canada support communities to advance gender equality?
Suggested response:
- Women’s and equality-seeking organizations provide vital supports to our communities.
- The Department for Women and Gender Equality is working to sustain historic funding commitments to these organizations, focussing support on Indigenous women, women with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2 communities, and racialized, newcomer and migrant women.
- WAGE funding supports organizations to:
- advance gender equality in social, economic and political spheres;
- to build capacity; and,
- to develop and test promising practices to support at-risk populations and victims and survivors of gender-based violence.
- Since November 2015, the Government of Canada has significantly increased funding to the sector.
- Since that time, WAGE has funded over 1,100 projects, providing more than $462.9 million, to ensure that everyone can participate fully in Canadian society.
Background:
- Since 2015, the Department has funded over 1,100 projects, providing more than $462.9 million, to ensure that everyone can participate fully in Canadian society. This includes over $300 million targeting diverse intersections of population groups (data excludes COVID funding)
- $140.6 million to Indigenous projects
- $52.5 million to projects for racialized communities
- $51.4 million to projects in northern, remote, or rural projects
- $44 million to non-status, immigrant, or refugee projects
- $43.2 million to youth focused projects
- $36.1 million to LGBTQ2 projects
- $19.5 million to projects targeting low income
- $14.5 million to official language minority communities
- $9.6 million to projects targeting people with a disability
Women’s Program
- The Women’s Program aims to achieve the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada by investing in projects that address systemic barriers to women’s equality.
- Most recently, through the $100 million Feminist Response and Recovery Fund, launched in February 2021, the Department is supporting 237 systemic change projects across the Women’s Program’s three priority areas (ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles).
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Program
- Established as part of It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence in 2018, the GBV Program provides funding to organizations in the GBV sector to support the development and implementation of promising practices to address gaps in supports for victims and survivors and their families. WAGE is investing $58.1 million in 65 projects. Budget 2021 outlined an additional investment of $105 million over 5 years, for WAGE to enhance its GBV Program. Thus far, 72 projects have been approved for a total investment of $27 million.
- Budget 2021 outlines additional investments to combat GBV, including:
- $55 million over five years, starting in 2021-2022, to bolster the capacity of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations to provide GBV prevention programming aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. The Call for Proposals was launched on January 27, 2022 and closed March 10, 2022.
- $11 million over five years, starting in 2021-2022, for GBV research and knowledge mobilization.
Human Trafficking Initiative
- On September 4, 2019, the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (National Strategy) was launched by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, with investments of $57 million over five years and $10 million per year ongoing. Through the National Strategy, WAGE is funding 41 projects for a total investment of $13.64 million to develop, deliver and test empowerment-focused prevention and intervention promising practices for at-risk populations, victims, and survivors of human trafficking.
LGBTQ2 Funding
- The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund was announced in Budget 2019 with $20 million over three years, starting in 2019-20, to enhance the capacity of LGBTQ2 organizations in Canada. On February 2, 2022, an additional $7.5 million was announced to extend the Fund for another year for existing recipients.
- Budget 2021 announced $15 million over 3 years, starting in 2021-22, for a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund to support community-informed initiatives to overcome key issues facing LGBTQ2 communities. To date, $800,000 has been invested in two initial community projects in anticipation of a Spring 2022 call for proposals.
- Budget 2021 also provided $7.1 million over three years to continue to support the work of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat and to enable the continued development of an LGBTQ2 Action Plan.
COVID-19 Funding for Organizations Providing GBV Supports and Services
- Through WAGE, the Government of Canada is providing $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to support those experiencing GBV:
- Over $122 million in emergency funding has been provided to date, to over 1,300 organizations, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, and other organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing GBV; this will ensure the continuity of services and enhance the capacity and responsiveness of GBV organizations that provide critical and often life-saving services and supports for women, girls, LGBTQ2, and gender non-binary people experiencing violence. To date, more than 1.3 million individuals had a place to turn because of this funding.
- To support crisis hotlines that are experiencing a rise in call volumes during the pandemic, Budget 2021 committed $30 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, so that crisis hotlines can serve the urgent needs of more Canadians and offer more robust services, resources, and supports to those experiencing GBV.
WAGE Gender-Based Violence Investments - Examples of Project Impact
- Between 2016 and 2019, WAGE provided the Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA) with more than $400,000 to provide youth leaders with the skills and resources needed to develop a mass media campaign focusing on building strong people and healthy communities to address violence against women. The campaign reached over 300,000 people, all working together and using their power collectively to create positive change for future generations.
- Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) received $1 million from WAGE between 2016 and 2019 from which they developed an online interactive map of shelters with information on shelter capacity, scope of services, funding, amenities and staff resources. This online profile of shelters has helped over 75,000 people find shelter services.
- From 2017 to 2020, WAGE provided the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network with nearly $300,000 to increase women’s reporting of domestic violence. As a result of this funding, more than 1,200 Indigenous women who experienced violence now have access to culturally-relevant supports and an increased understanding of how to navigate the justice system.
- Since 2018, WAGE has provided $1.8 million to Shelter Movers to support their efforts in providing no-charge moving services for survivors fleeing abuse. This organization is powered by over 2,060 volunteers across Canada and has completed over 3,400 moves since 2016, transitioning women and their children to lives free of abuse.
- From 2017 to 2021, WAGE provided Sexual Violence New Brunswick Inc. (SVNB) with $280K to address systemic barriers to improve women’s access to justice when reporting sexual violence to the Fredericton Police Force (FPF).
- Nearly 1,000 women were engaged in the development of a Pan-Canadian Network, an Action Plan, and other project activities.
- Resources developed reached more than 2,500 police force members.
- The project resulted in a change in policy where all sexual crimes, regardless of age, will now be investigated by the Special Crimes Unit, as well as an overhaul of FPF’s sexual assault procedures.
- SVNB recently received $500K through the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund to scale up the impact of this systemic and institutional change within New Brunswick police services to all women in the province affected by sexual violence.
- Between 2015 and 2018, WAGE provided the YWCA with $250K to launch the Culture Shift project located in Metro Vancouver, aimed at addressing the over-sexualization of girls and the hyper-masculinization of boys. As a result of this funding, nearly 360,000 people in Canada received resources to help educate them, including 183,770 people reached through the online Culture Shift campaign.
- Eagle Vision Inc. developed a series of podcasts called “TAKEN”, which shares the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, with the hope that it will bring forward new clues to help solve cases and raise awareness of the issue. The podcasts reached over 609,000 Canadians, who listened to the podcasts over 1.4 million times. The podcast, available in both Cree and English, has over 10 thousand subscribers.
Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women
Issue / question:
What is the current status of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women?
Suggested response:
- Women and Gender Equality Canada plays a leadership role in advancing its priorities through strong intergovernmental collaboration.
- The value and strength of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women has been evident in responding to the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- At the 39th annual meeting in December 2021, FPT Ministers agreed to collaborate to advance a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
- Prior to their December 2021 meeting, the FPT Ministers also met with National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives to discuss key priorities, including gender-based violence.
Background:
- Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) plays a leadership role in advancing the Government of Canada’s priorities on women and gender equality through strong intergovernmental relations across the country. The Federal-Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women was established in 1972 and has been meeting annually since 1981.
- The FPT Forum’s mandate is to share knowledge and information and to undertake collaborative initiatives, as agreed upon by consensus, to promote and advance the status of women, which can include gender diversity and gender
- The Ministerial co-chairs of the FPT Forum include a provincial or territorial counterpart, which rotates on an annual basis, and the Minister for WAGE. In 2022, the provincial co-chair is Nova Scotia, led by the Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act, Minister of Community Services, and Minister of L’nu Affairs.
- In this capacity, Nova Scotia will host the 40th annual FPT Ministerial Meeting in Fall 2022. As has been done in the past five years, on the margins of their ministerial meeting, the FPT Ministers will also meet with the National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives (NILRs) to discuss issues of common interest, such as addressing gender-based violence against Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
- In January 2021, FPT Ministers responsible for the Status of Women endorsed the Joint Declaration for a Canada free of Gender-Based Violence. This declaration reiterates the longstanding commitments of FPT governments to eliminate gender-based violence and advance gender equality for all Canadians.
- Stemming from this Joint Declaration, in August 2021, WAGE announced a total of eight co-funded projects worth $2.8 million to address gender-based violence in five jurisdictions – British Columbia (two projects), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon (two projects) – and in the Atlantic region as a whole.
- In December 2021, during their 39th annual meeting, the FPT Ministers committed to continue the collaboration to advance towards a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. While Québec supports the principles of the Joint Declaration and the National Action Plan, it will not be joining the National Action Plan. The province intends to preserve full responsibility in this area within its jurisdiction, and will ensure that the National Action Plan respects its autonomy. Québec expects to receive its fair share of federal funds to support its provincial programs, services, and initiatives to address gender-based violence. Québec has committed to continue sharing information and best practices on this issue within the FPT Forum.
- In line with the Ministerial mandate letter, the intent is to finalize the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and begin negotiations with provinces and territories within a year.
FPT Collaboration on COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery
- From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, WAGE has communicated regularly and collaborated closely with PT partners. Thanks to strong relationships and joint work with PT colleagues, emergency response measures were rolled out quickly and effectively to support women and children fleeing violence across the country.
2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (C)
Issue / question:
2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (C) – Funding to advance LGBTQ2 equality (Budget 2021) and transfer from Operating vote to Grants and Contributions vote
Suggested response:
- The Government of Canada continues to work towards creating a more inclusive society, where every person has an equal opportunity to succeed.
- Women and Gender Equality Canada will continue to advance equality through the inclusion of all women and members of LGBTQ2 communities in Canada’s economic, social and political life.
- Through Supplementary Estimates (C), the Department for Women and Gender Equality is requesting funding to advance equality in Canada.
- $6.3 million in funding to advance the protection of LGBTQ2 rights and promotion of socio-economic and political equality.
- $3.5 million will also support women’s and equality-seeking organizations during the pandemic.
Background:
- Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward, therefore meeting the needs of Canadians.
- The 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (C) were tabled in Parliament on February 19, 2022.
- These are the third and final Supplementary Estimates to be published in 2021-22 and, as such, are identified as Supplementary Estimates (C). The Appropriation Act should receive Royal Assent by the end of March 2022.
- As announced in Budget 2021, the Government committed $22.1 million to advance LGBTQ2 equality:
- $15 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, for a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund dedicated to supporting community-informed initiatives to overcome key issues facing LGBTQ2 communities.
- $7.1 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to continue to support the work of the LGBTQ2 Secretariat and enable the continued development of an LGBTQ2 Action Plan.
- Through these estimates, of the $22.1 million committed, the Department is requesting $5 million in Grants and Contributions (Gs&Cs), $1 million in Operating expenditures and $0.3 million for the Employee Benefit Plans, for a total of $6.3 million.
- It is to be noted that Budget 2021 initially provided the $7.1 million to Canadian Heritage as it housed the LGBTQ2 Secretariat. However, on October 26, 2021, as per Order in Council 2021-0951, the Secretariat was transferred to the Department for Women and Gender Equality, therefore, these Estimates also include a transfer to Canadian Heritage for the period of April 1, 2021 to October 25, 2021 as the Department for Women and Gender Equality received the full amount through these Supplementary Estimates.
- In addition, through these estimates, WAGE is requesting that $3.5 million be transferred from the Operating vote to the Grants and Contributions Vote to support women’s and equality-seeking organizations during the pandemic.
2022-2023 Departmental Plan
Issue / question:
What are the priorities for Women and Gender Equality as described in the 2022-2023 Departmental Plan?
Suggested response:
- Over the past two years, WAGE focused on providing urgent support for communities impacted by COVID-19. In 2022-23, WAGE will build upon these investments and further strengthen the department as a world class Centre of Expertise for advancing gender equality, addressing systemic barriers, and creating positive change in communities across Canada.
- Collaborating with other levels of government, Indigenous organizations, the women’s movement, private sector, advocates and equality-seeking organizations, WAGE will:
- Continue to advance a National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence to ensure that anyone facing gender-based violence has reliable and timely access to protection and prevention services;
- Launch Canada’s first Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan;
- Deliver programming to create stable, predictable, long-term funding that organizations need to advance gender equality in Canada;
- Work with federal partners to develop a Menstrual Equity Fund;
- Undertake vital research to address knowledge gaps to better capture the lived experiences of all Canadians.
Background:
- The Departmental Plan (DP) is a ministerial accountability mechanism as well as an annual reporting requirement that serves to communicate departmental expenditure plans, as well as the organization’s priorities, resource requirements and expected results for the fiscal year. This Departmental Plan provides an outline for achieving more equitable outcomes for women and girls, including Indigenous women and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, and building capacity to fulfill the department’s expanded mandate and its role as a centre of expertise.
- The mandate for Women and Gender Equality Canada is to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders.
In 2022-2023, the Department will focus on four priority areas:
1) Preventing and addressing GBV, including: ongoing implementation of Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, advancing the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence delivering programming for organizations working to address human trafficking and GBV; funding research to address knowledge gaps and to advance evidence-based responses to GBV; implementing the first phase of a GBV Youth Awareness Campaign and supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Inquiry Calls for Justice in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples.
2) Strategic actions and engagement to address systemic barriers to gender equality, including: continuing to advance LGBTQ2 equality through the LGBTQ2 Secretariat; launching the first Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan; establishing WAGE as a world-class Centre of Expertise for advancing gender equality; collaborating with provincial/territorial governments through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Forum of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women, as well as with National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives; and supporting other federal government departments in advancing gender equality as part of the economic recovery.
3) Ensuring GBA plus throughout federal government actions and decision-making processes, including: developing a new whole-of-government GBA Plus Action Plan; leading the evaluation process of GBA Plus to better capture the lived experiences of all Canadians; supporting federal departments and agencies in applying the tool in their policy and programming work; and improving the quality and scope of GBA Plus in budgeting processes in collaboration with Finance Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat.
4) Supporting community action to advance gender equality, including: implementing a new LGBTQ2 Projects Fund to address the unique needs and persistent disparities facing LGBTQ2 communities; supporting projects to address systemic barriers to gender equality including the Feminist Response and Recovery Fund; developing a Menstrual Equity Fund in collaboration with federal partners; and providing funding to Indigenous organizations to support Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.
- Over the reporting period, the department will continue to strengthen internal services functions, including: Communications; Human Resources, Finance; Information Management; Information Technology; Real Property and Acquisition.
- Key internal services priorities for the fiscal year include: designing and implementing a new and inclusive organizational structure; attracting and retaining a highly diverse and qualified workforce; and implementing a comprehensive governance approach to serve WAGE’s expanded organizational mandate and structure and support transformation.
2022-2023 Main Estimates
Issue / question:
2022-2023 Main Estimates
Suggested response:
- The Government of Canada continues to work towards creating a more inclusive society, where every person has an equal opportunity to succeed.
- Women and Gender Equality Canada will continue to advance equality through the inclusion of all women and members of LGBTQ2 communities in Canada’s economic, social and political life.
- The Department will receive $310.3M in funding from the 2022-23 Main Estimates, representing an increase of $184.8M from the previous year’s Main Estimates.
- The majority of the funding will be used to support capacity building of women’s and equity seeking organizations, to further women’s participation in Canadian society, to advance towards a National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence and to advance LGBTQ2 equality.
Background:
- The Main Estimates are part of the normal parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned Government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward.
- The Main Estimates confirm requests for resources that have already been approved by the Treasury Board.
- The Department will receive $310.3M in total funding for 2022-23:
- $59.0M in Operating expenditures;
- $245.2M in Grants and Contributions; and
- $6.1M in Statutory (Employee Benefit Plan $6.0M, Minister’s salary & car $92.5K).
- The total Grants and Contributions funding of $245.2M to be received in 2022-23 relates to:
- Advancement of a new National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence – Budget 2021 ($162.3M)
- Increase Capacity and Sustainability of the Women’s Movement ($67.4M)
- Gender-Based Violence – Budget 2017 and 2018 ($10.0M)
- Advancing LGBTQ2 Equality – Budget 2021 ($3.8M)
- National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking ($1.7M)
- The following table indicates the variance in the funding received from the previous Main Estimates:
Main Estimates | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | Variance |
---|---|---|---|
Operating Expenditures |
$45.3M |
$59.0M |
$13.7M |
Grants and Contributions |
$75.5M |
$245.2M |
$169.7M |
Statutory |
$4.7M |
$6.1M |
$1.4M |
Total |
$125.5M |
$310.3M |
$184.8M |
- The variance of $184.8M is mainly attributed to the funding received to advance towards a National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence and to advance LGBTQ2 equality.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women (FEWO)
The Standing Committee on the Status of Women’s mandate gives it the broad authority to study the policies, programs, expenditures (budgetary estimates) and legislation of departments and agencies, including the Department for Women and Gender Equality, that conduct work related to the status of women and gender equality.
In the 43rd Parliament, the committee has studied:
- Sexual misconduct within the Canadian Armed Forces;
- Challenges faced by women living in rural communities:
- Women’s unpaid work:
- Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on women;
- Midwifery services across Canada
- Implementation of the Pay Equity Act.
During their first meeting of the first session of the 44th parliament, members agreed that witnesses who appear before the committee would have five minutes to make opening statements. Whenever possible, these opening statements should be submitted to the committee seventy-two hours in advance. This is followed by a question and answer period. Questions will proceed in the following order:
Round 1 - 6 minutes each, CPC, LPC, BQ, NDP Round 2 - 5 minutes each, CPC, LPC, then 2.5 minutes each, BQ, NDP, and subsequently another 5 minutes each CPC, LPC
The committee also elected Ms. Karen Vecchio (CPC) as Chair, Ms. Sonia Sidhu (LPC) as Vice Chair and Ms. Andréanne Larouche (BQ) as Second Vice Chair.
The committee agreed to undertake the following studies:
Intimate Partner Violence
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study, using an intersectional lens, examining intimate partner and domestic violence, with sub-topics including, but not limited to:
- Current support and protection infrastructures for women and girls subject to unsafe environments;
- Intimate partner violence specifically regarding teen dating and toxic masculinity, including causation, prevention, and the resources and education available for victims and perpetrators;
- Barriers facing women seeking to flee their perpetrators including, but not limited to an examination of the financial, social, coercive abuse, and immigration factors;
- The various legislative experiences of states and countries that have created legislation to criminalize coercive and manipulative behaviour, and on any other public policy tools;
That the committee consider additional ways in which the Government can contribute to the prevention of intimate partner violence and the protection of women and children fleeing violence; that the committee hear from witnesses, as well as from department officials, for no less than ten meetings; that the committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Government table a comprehensive response in the House.
That the committee commence its study of intimate partner and domestic violence in Canada; that each witness hearing meeting take the form of two one-hour panels; that each panel be composed of three witnesses; that the parties send a list of witnesses to the clerk of the committee no later than 3:00 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, February 2, 2022; that the committee accept briefs on this study; and that members of the public be able to submit briefs directly on the committee’s webpage.
That senior officials from the Department of Women and Gender Equality, the Department of Statistics Canada, the Department of Justice Canada, the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, the Department of Indigenous Services, and the Public Health Agency of Canada be invited to appear in relation to the study of intimate partner and domestic violence in Canada on Friday, February 4, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET).
That the Minister of Women and Gender Equality be invited to appear in relation to the study of intimate partner and domestic violence in Canada.
Resource Development and Violence toward Indigenous Women and Girls
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the relationship between resource development and increased violence against Indigenous women and girls, as it relates to Calls for Justice 13.4 and 13.5 of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls; that the committee dedicate at least four meetings to this issue, report its findings and any recommendations to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests a comprehensive Government response to the report.
Mental Health of Young Women and Girls
That the committee undertake the following study as its third study: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study examining the factors contributing to mental health issues experienced by young women and girls, including but not limited to eating disorders, addiction, depression, anxiety, and suicide; that the committee provide attention to the impact of online harms and issues regarding self-esteem in young women and girls; that the committee hear from witnesses for six meetings, including the Minister of Women and Gender Equality for one hour and the Minister for Mental Health and Addictions for one hour; that the committee consider ways in which the Government can continue to strengthen mental health supports for young women and girls; that the committee report its findings to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Government table a comprehensive response to the report.
Human Trafficking
That the committee undertake the following study as its fourth study: That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on human trafficking of women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals for sexual exploitation in Canada, including an examination of how to prevent the trafficking of individuals and ways to improve Canadian law enforcement’s capability to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators; that a minimum of eight and a maximum of ten meetings be held on this study; and that the committee report its findings to the House.
FEWO Members
Liberal Party of Canada:
- Jenna Sudds – New Member
- Emmanuella Lambropoulos – Returning Member
- Marc G. Serré – Returning Member
- Sonia Sidhu – Returning Member
- Anita Vandenbeld – Returning Member
Conservative Party of Canada:
- Karen Vecchio – Returning Member
- Dominique Vien – New Member
- Shelby Kramp-Neuman – New Member
- Michelle Ferreri – New Member
New Democratic Party:
- Leah Gazan – New Member
Bloc Québécois:
- Andréanne Larouche – Returning Member
Karen Vecchio: Chair, Conservative critic, and returning member
Karen Vecchio was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London in 2015.
She was raised on a turkey and hog farm in Sparta, Ontario and remains connected to her rural roots in Southern Ontario. Prior to entering politics, she owned and operated a small business in London, Ontario and worked alongside MP Joe Preston as his Executive Assistant for 11 years.
Ms. Vecchio is married to Mike and they have 5 children.
She currently serves as the Deputy House Leader for the Official Opposition.She participates regularly in the All-Party Agricultural Caucus, the All-Party Anti-Poverty Caucus, the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Caucus, and the All-Party Parliamentary Group to End Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.
In her capacity as Member of Parliament, Ms. Vecchio has served as Critic for Women and Gender Equality (2019-2020); Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women (2017-2020); Critic for Families, Children and Social Development; Chair of the Conservative Social Development Caucus (2016-2019) and the Conservative Caucus Liaison to the LGBTQ2+ community.
Interests:
- Agriculture
- LGBTQ2+
- Women’s Issues
- Human trafficking
Sonia Sidhu: Vice-Chair and Returning Member (Liberal)
Satinderpal "Sonia" Sidhu was first elected Member of Parliament for Brampton South in 2015.
Born in India, Ms. Sidhu immigrated to Winnipeg in 1992, where she worked as a small business owner, entrepreneur, and Cardiac Technologist in Victoria Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a certificate in Diabetes Education from The Michener Institute. Ms. Sidhu worked in the healthcare profession in Brampton South for fifteen years, focusing on diabetes research and education.
Since entering the House in 2015, Ms. Sidhu has strongly advocated for healthcare. She was a member of the Standing Committee on Health and advised on eighteen different reports, including the report recommending the implementation of a national pharmacare plan and the report on drinking water standards. Her report “Defeating Diabetes,” for which she crossed the country to consult with experts, was presented to the Minister of Health in 2019. Ms. Sidhu also frequently speaks about the issues faced by seniors and has worked to improve the infrastructure and employment rates in her riding.
In the 42nd parliament, Ms. Sidhu sat on the Standing Committee on the Status of Women. She was also a member of the Special Committee on Pay Equity. In Committee meetings, in the House of Commons, and through her social media, Ms. Sidhu has expressed particular interest in senior women, women in politics, pay equity, and women’s health. She has highlighted the need for intersectionality when discussing women’s issues and empowerment. During the 43rd parliament, Ms. Sidhu worked on the FEWO reports on pay equity and impacts of COVID-19 on women.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Sidhu has continued to focus on health, including long-term care homes and healthcare accessibility. She has also spoken about investments in organizations that support the homeless, specifically women fleeing domestic violence who are now being housed in hotels.
Interests :
- Communities
- Infrastructure
- Youth
Andréanne Larouche: Vice-Chair, BQ critic, and Returning Member
Bloc Québécois Member of Parliament for the riding of Shefford, Andréanne Larouche, was elected in the 2019 federal election.
Ms. Larouche studied art and media technology at Cégep de Jonquière and has always been engaged locally, sitting on the board of directors for the Ecosphere Group and the Sutton Museum of Communications and History. While this is her first time in the House of Commons, Ms. Larouche holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sherbrooke in applied politics, and worked for the former Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Christian Ouellet and Member of Quebec’s National Assembly, Marie Bouillé.
She was also a project manager for Alternative Justice and Mediation, raising awareness on elder abuse.
Ms. Larouche was appointed as the Bloc Québécois Critic for Women and Gender Equality and Critic for Seniors. Ms. Larouche’s first speech in the House of Commons was on the topic of the anti-feminist attack at École Polytechnique, advocating for stricter gun control to protect women against such violence.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Larouche has focused on senior women, women in essential services, and the ability for women to access help. Like other members of the Bloc Québécois, she has advocated for increased health and social transfers to Quebec as she believes many of these issues are best resolved by the province. She has also advocated for an increase to GIS/OAS for seniors under seventy-five.
Interests :
- Seniors
- Gender Equality
- Poverty
- Arts and culture
Dominique Vien – Conservative Critic and New Member
Dominique Vien was elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Bellechasse-Les Etchemins-Lévis in 2021.
Ms. Vien was born in Lévis and completed her secondary studies at the Collège de Saint-Damien and the Collège Jésus-Marie in Sillery. She finished her college at Collège de Lévis and subsequently obtained a bachelor's degree in public communication from Laval University.
Recognized for her hard work, determination and results-based management, Ms. Vien has many achievements to her credit, including the construction of a four-lane road between Saint-Henri and Saint- Anselme, the supply of natural gas, the safeguard of Mont-Orignal, the granting of an unprecedented budget to the MRC des Etchemins and the maintenance in Saint-Anselme of the Exceldor plant.
Ms. Vien has worked in many community organizations. She is the mother of a young adult.
A journalist for ten years on community radio Passion FM (Radio-Bellechasse) and on Radio-Canada radio, Ms. Vien was elected Member of Parliament for Bellechasse under the banner of the Liberal Party of Quebec for nearly 15 years.
During this period, Ms. Vien headed 4 ministries including the Ministry of Labor. Until recently, Ms. Vien was the general manager of the MRC des Etchemins.
Interests :
- Communities
- Infrastructure
- Youth
Shelby Kramp-Neuman – New Member (Conservative)
Shelby Kramp-Neuman was elected Member of Parliament for Hastings-Lennox and Addington in 2021. She is the critic for Seniors.
Born and raised in Hastings County, Ms. Kramp-Neuman has lived most of her life in Madoc, Ontario. She has been happily married to Tadum Neuman for 15 years. They have two school aged daughters, Tori and Reese.
A graduate of the University of Ottawa, where she studied Communications and Political Science, Shelby Kramp-Neuman has worked in government, public service, and the private sector.
Before being elected to office, Ms. Kramp-Neuman spent 12 years working for Sun Life Financial as an award-winning Financial Advisor.
She has been a parliamentary assistant to the late Jim Prentice and worked for Senator Con Dinino. This experience was followed by employment with Global Affairs Canada where she was selected to become a Canadian representative in Seattle, Washington.
She has spent almost six years as a teacher, including time with the Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board and at Loyalist College. She has served on the Centre Hastings Municipal Council for 15 years, being re-elected three times and serving for four years as Deputy Mayor.
Interests:
- Affordable Housing
- Mental Health
- Seniors
- Cost of living
Michelle Ferreri – New Member (Conservative)
Michelle Ferreri – New Member (Conservative)
Michelle Ferreri was elected Member of Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha in 2021.
She is a proud mother of three children, between the ages of 12 and 17, and shares her life with her supportive partner, Ryan, and his three daughters.
Prior to being elected, Ms. Ferreri was a well-known community advocate, an award-winning entrepreneur, a committed volunteer, and a sought-after public speaker and social media marketer.
She has over 20 years’ experience in media, marketing and public speaking.
During her time as a reporter, one of Michelle’s most memorable experiences was when she had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Forces Base, Alert and fly to the station on a C-17 Globemaster.
She is a graduate of Trent University (Biology/Anthropology) and Loyalist College (Biotechnology). Her education in science has led her to be a passionate advocate for physical and mental health.
Interests:
- Physical and mental health
- Housing
- Economy
- Food security
Jenna Sudds – Parliamentary Secretary and New Member (Liberal - Non-voting member)
Jenna Sudds was elected Member of Parliament for Kanata in 2021. Ms. Sudds is a long-time Kanata resident, economist, former city councillor, and community advocate. She and her husband Tim have raised their three daughters in Kanata—Carleton since moving to the community two decades ago. Since 2013, Ms. Sudds has been an integral part of the development of Kanata North, from serving as a founding director of the Kanata North Business Association to representing the community at City Hall as the City Councillor for Kanata North.
She has been highly engaged in her community since moving to Kanata—Carleton in 2001. She grew up in Niagara Falls, attended Brock University in St. Catharines, and moved to the National Capital Region to complete her Master’s of Economics at Carleton University.
She spent the first twelve years of her career working as an economist in the Federal Government. She left her role in the Federal Government in 2013 to pursue directorship opportunities within Kanata—Carleton’s world-class technology sector.
Ms. Sudds became the founding President and Executive Director of the newly formed Kanata North Business Association in 2013. After four years of supporting Kanata businesses, she became the Executive Director of the CIO Strategy Council, a national technology council.
In 2015, Jenna was named one of “Forty under 40” who would lead Ottawa into the future by the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. Two years later, Jenna was named one of the world’s “Top 40 under 40” International Economic Development Professionals.
Interests:
- Economy
- Food security
- Small businesses support
- Employment
Emmanuella Lambropoulos – Returning Member (Liberal)
Emmanuella Lambropoulos was first elected Member of Parliament for Saint-Laurent in 2017.
Ms. Lambropoulos was raised in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montréal. She attended Vanier College, where she received the Program Award upon graduation, awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in the Social Science (Psychology Major) Program. During her time at Vanier, Ms. Lambropoulos was a member of the Vanier Key Society, a group composed of a talented group of students chosen for their high academic standing, strong communication skills and demonstrated leadership abilities. She then graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Education in 2013, where she was the president of the McGill Hellenic Students Association.
She then became a teacher at Rosemount High School, where she taught French and history. Most recently, she completed her Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from McGill University.
Ms. Lambropoulos has served on the parliamentary committees for Veterans Affairs (May 2017-Sept 2018), Status of Women (Sept 2017-Sept 2019), and Official Languages (Sept 2018-Sept 2019).
As part of her work for the Status of Women committee, she has studied such issues as shelters and transition homes for women who are seeking to escape domestic violence, and barriers to women entering politics.
Interests:
- Status of Women
- Disabilities
Anita Vandenbeld – Returning Member (Liberal)
Anita Vandenbeld – Returning Member (Liberal)
Anita Vandenbeld was first elected Member of Parliament for Ottawa-West Nepean in 2015.
Ms. Vandenbeld was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence.
During her previous mandate, she chaired the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights and sat on the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee and the Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics.
She also served on the Committee on the Status of Women and the Procedure and House Affairs committee and was chair of the Special Committee on Pay Equity. From 2015 to September 2018, Ms. Vandenbeld chaired the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus.
She also founding chair of the all-party Democracy caucus. Prior to her election to the Canadian House of Commons, she worked for over a decade in international democratic development and women’s political participation, having worked in over 20 countries on inclusive governance and women’s leadership. She managed a global, multi-partner online network to promote women’s political rights and participation, called iKNOWpolitics.org. Ms. Vandenbeld was a parliamentary advisor with the United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh, and Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of the Central Assembly and Political Parties Section of the Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Kosovo. She coordinated an anti-corruption campaign with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as the resident director of the National Democratic Institute’s office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Vandenbeld established a political party program during the 2011 elections. Anita has also led women’s campaign and leadership training in several countries, including Haiti, and she authored a UNDP study on women’s political participation in Vietnam.
She has a Masters Degree in Constitutional and Political History from York University. Shortly after leaving graduate school she spent 6 years as a staff member in the Canadian Parliament, including as a policy analyst in the National Liberal Caucus Research Bureau, as Director of Parliamentary Affairs in the office of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister Responsible for Democratic Reform, and as Chief of Staff to a Senator.
Ms. Vandenbeld is a recipient of the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal for her work in Kosovo. She has also received the Leading Women, Leading Girls Award for her community service. Vandenbeld is a contributing author to the ‘Oxford Handbook on Transnational Feminist Movements’ and wrote a chapter in a book about Canadian parliamentary democracy called ‘Turning Parliament Inside Out’.
Interests:
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Women
- International relations
Marc Serré: Returning Member (Liberal)
Marc Serré was first elected Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt in 2015.
Son of former Liberal Member of Parliament Gaetan Serré and nephew of former Liberal Member of Parliament Ben Serré, Marc Serré was born into a family tradition of politics. He is a proud member of the Algonquin First Nation in Mattawa/North Bay and a proud francophone.
Before joining the House of Commons, Mr. Serré graduated from Laurentian University with an Honours Bachelor in Commerce with a specialization in Human Resources and Marketing. He is an award-winning telecom technologist specializing in research and development who founded the family-run Internet provider PhoneNet and received the Canadian CANARIE IWAY Award in recognition of his innovative and outstanding achievements in Internet adaptive technology.
He was also the Northern Eastern Ontario Regional Director of the Canadian Hearing Society, a staff and faculty member at Collège Boréal and Cambrian College, and the North Eastern Ontario Managing Director at Eastlink. Mr. Serré served as a trustee at the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) and was also a Municipal Counsellor in West Nipissing.
In Parliament, he has been involved in several Standing Committees, Caucus and Parliamentary Associations including: the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Chair of the National Rural Liberal Caucus, and Chair of Northern Ontario Liberal Caucus. Mr. Serré has demonstrated his advocacy for increased rural infrastructure, affordable housing, accessibility, and seniors in and outside the House of Commons. His motion M-106, calling on the federal government to develop Canada’s first National Senior Strategy, was successfully passed in the House of Commons in May 2017.
Mr. Serré was a member of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women during the 42nd and 43rd parliament.
Interests:
- Women in STEM
- Indigenous Women
- Senior women
- Rural women
Leah Gazan – New Member (New Democratic Party)
Leah Gazan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre in 2019.
As an educator, advisor, and media contributor, Ms. Gazan has been deeply engaged with issues and organizing in Winnipeg’s core for nearly three decades.
She has spent her life working for human rights on the local, national, and international stage. As president of the Social Planning Council between 2011- 2015, she organized and pushed policy in support of an end to poverty, addressing violence against women and girls, finding solutions for housing insecurity and homelessness, ensuring fair wages, community-based actions addressing addictions and proper supports for mental health.
Ms. Gazan was a prominent Winnipeg lead during Idle No More, articulating the movement to the Winnipeg public. She also co-founded the #WeCare campaign aimed at building public will to end violence against Indigenous women and girls. She is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota Nation, located in Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory.
She is currently the NDP Critic for Women and Gender Equality; Families, Children and Social Development and Deputy Critic for Housing. In the last session she was a member of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, and the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament.
In 2019, she introduced a private member's bill, Bill C-232, The Climate Emergency Action Act, which recognizes the right to a healthy environment as a human right. In August 2020, she submitted M-46, which calls on the federal government to convert the Canada Emergency Response Benefit into a permanent Guaranteed Livable Basic Income. She was recently named in Maclean's 2021 Power List.
Interests:
- Indigenous Affairs
- Violence against women and girls
- Poverty
- Housing
- Communities
- Mental health and drug addictions
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