Darren Fisher announces funding for organizations supporting people experiencing gender-based violence

HALIFAX, NS, Oct. 6, 2020 /CNW/ - The COVID–19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in the very systems designed to keep people safe. It has created unprecedented challenges for those experiencing gender-based violence and the organizations that provide supports and services to them.

Women's safety must be the foundation on which all progress is built. That's why, in the recent Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada committed to accelerate investments in shelters and transition housing to ensure anyone facing gender-based violence has a safe place to turn.

Today, Darren Fisher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced up to $50 million in funding to support organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.

This funding announced today includes:

• Up to $10 million for women's shelters and sexual assault centres to help them continue to provide their critical services safely;
• Up to $10 million to support organizations providing services related to gender-based violence to Indigenous people off-reserve; and
• Up to $30 million for other women's organizations to support the delivery of GBV supports, to help combat the spread of COVID, and to address the increased demand for services.

Today's announcement builds on previous emergency funding provided to women's shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations providing gender-based violence services to ensure continuity of services at this challenging time. This brings the total COVID-19 emergency funding provided to GBV organizations to $100 million. Through the first $50 million, more than 29 projects across Nova Scotia received much-needed funding that helped ensure they could keep their doors open to those in need. Organizations such as Alice House, Halifax Transition House Association, Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia and Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre used this funding to enhance cleaning and safety procedures, hire additional staff to manage additional workload, and purchase equipment to help them deliver their services remotely.

While moving swiftly to address immediate needs, our government, in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia, is also moving forward on a National Action Plan on gender-based violence. This work is focused on ensuring that people who experience gender-based violence have access to timely supports no matter where they live while also laying the foundation to eradicating this unacceptable violence altogether.     

The Government has significantly increased funding to grow and strengthen the women's movement. Between 2015 and 2019, federal support to women's and equality-seeking organizations increased five-fold, compared to the previous five years. This fiscal year Women and Gender Equality Canada will make available over $100 million available to these organizations to ensure they can continue their important work, helping to build a stronger, more inclusive Canada. Six million Canadians benefit from the work of these organizations every year.

Quotes

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the women's shelters, transition houses and other organizations in Nova Scotia supporting those experiencing violence. They provide critical services every day to people who need it most. I'm particularly proud that the Government of Canada recognizes the important work of these organizations and is acting quickly to ensure that they have the funding they need to continue this work through the pandemic. By supporting these organizations we ensure that those in need have a place to go at the most difficult times in their lives."

Darren Fisher, M.P.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Dartmouth–Cole Harbour

"COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other and it has laid bare the cracks in our support systems. This crises has thrown into sharp focus the needs of organizations serving women and children who are fleeing violence. No one should be left without a place to turn at this difficult time and our government have moved swiftly to provide $100 million to these critical front-line organizations, ensuring their doors can remain open and they can continue their lifesaving work."

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

"No Canadian should have to live in fear. Too many Canadians continue to be victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, online child exploitation, and human trafficking. In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional and unprecedented challenges for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and the organizations that serve them. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring those who are experiencing violence have access to the help they need."

The Honourable Bill Blair, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified systemic racism and the longstanding inequalities across our society and exacerbated the threats to the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people. Our government's support of the organizations that provide safety to those fleeing violence is critical to ensuring Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people are safe wherever they live."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations    

Quick Facts

• Data collected through Statistics Canada in March and April 2020 suggested that 1 in 10 women in Canada were very or extremely concerned about the possibility of violence in the home early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On September 21, 2020, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced $1 billion to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians by rapidly creating new affordable housing.
• Since 2015 the Government helped 1 million Canadians get access to safe and affordable housing, including the creation or enhancement of nearly 7,000 units that provide safe housing to survivors of domestic violence.
• 40,000 childcare spaces have been created since 2015 and the 2020 Speech from the Throne committed to a significant, sustained investment to create a universal child care system in Canada.
• In 2020, Canada placed 1st in North America according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report, having improved 11 places globally since 2015, compared to 153 countries.

Associated Links

• Government of Canada provides emergency COVID-19 funds to nearly 1,000 organizations delivering essential frontline supports to those fleeing violence and abuse
• It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence
• Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre
• Gender-Based Violence Program

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SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada

Contacts: Marie-Pier Baril, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, 613-295-8123; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 1-855-969-9922

Related Links

http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/