Government of Canada announces funding for national projects on International
Women's Day

OTTAWA, March 8 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is supporting two new national projects that will benefit Canadian women through the promotion of economic security, leadership and participation in the democratic process, the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), announced today.

"Women of all ages benefit when they have the confidence and tools to succeed," Minister of State Guergis said. "The two projects announced today will help provide more women with the skills, knowledge and confidence to participate fully in their families, their communities and Canadian society. This is one more thing to celebrate on International Women's Day."

The two projects to receive funding are:

    
    -  The Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which will receive $361,265
       for its national project, Women in Municipal Government National
       Program.

    -  National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly, which will receive
       $390,227 for its national project, Older Women and Financial
       Literacy: Bridging the Income Gap.
    

"On behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, I would like to thank Status of Women Canada and Minister Guergis for supporting FCM's new national program on increasing women's participation in municipal government," said Pam McConnell, Toronto Councillor and Chair of the FCM standing committee to elect more women. "FCM's new "Regional Champs" program is designed to have a real impact on the recruitment and training of women to participate in municipal politics."

Support for these projects comes from funding allocated by the Government of Canada to the Women's Community Fund of Status of Women Canada. To qualify, projects must work to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

Minister Guergis also pointed to another national initiative receiving funding from the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada: "Support from our government has enabled the creation of an inclusive and democratic virtual network of women working to host the 2011 Women's Worlds Forum. The Forum, which will represent the diversity of Canadian women, will emphasize outreach to Aboriginal, francophone and immigrant women as well as women who are isolated or marginalized."

International Women's Day is March 8. This year, International Women's Week celebrations run from March 7 to March 13. Canada's theme for 2010 is Strong Women. Strong Canada. Strong World.

Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

For further information: Emily Goucher, Senior Special Assistant, Communications, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women), [phone]; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning, Status of Women Canada, [phone]