Government of Canada supporting women living in rural and remote communities and small urban centres

OTTAWA, March 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women marked International Women's Week by announcing Government of Canada support for new projects that address issues of violence and economic security affecting women and girls living in rural and remote communities, and small urban centres.

"I am pleased to announce our Government's support for grassroots projects that address issues of violence and economic security affecting women and girls living in rural and remote communities," said Minister Ambrose. "In every region of Canada, particularly in rural and remote regions, women play important roles in their families and communities, and are key to our country's prosperity."

Each year during International Women's Week, Canadians celebrate and reflect on women's participation and leadership in Canada and around the world. This year, Canada's theme for International Women's Day and Week is Strong Women, Strong Canada - Women in Rural, Remote and Northern Communities: Key to Canada's Economic Prosperity.

Eligible community-based organizations from across Canada will address the issues of violence and economic security affecting women and girls living in rural and remote communities, and small urban centres with Government of Canada funding of more than $12 million.

"Through targeted action, the Government of Canada supports the economic security and prosperity of women and girls in rural and remote communities, works to advance their leadership opportunities and forges ahead on ending violence against women," said Minister Ambrose.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million each year, its highest level ever.

A backgrounder is attached providing the list of organizations receiving funding today through this Call for Proposals.

BACKGROUNDER - WOMEN'S PROGRAM PROJECTS

List of organizations receiving funding under the call for proposals - Women Living in Rural and Remote Communities and Small Urban Centres:

Priority: Improving women's and girls' economic security and prosperity

Union culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes, Ottawa, ON
Restigouche CBDC Inc., Campbellton, NB
AnâauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women's Association Inc., St. John's, NFL
Grand River Employment & Training Inc., Ohsweken, ON
The Community Training and Development Centre, Coburg, ON
Community YWCA of Muskoka, Bracebridge, ON
YWCA St. Thomas, St. Thomas, ON
Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Portneuf, Sainte-Basile, QC
Table de concertation des groupes femmes de la Gaspésie et des Ïles, Caplan, QC
Comité condition féminine Baie-James, Chibougamau, QC
Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation, Portage la Prairie, MB
Oldtown Storyteller's Foundation, Hazelton, BC
Association for the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women, Calgary, AB
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network Inc. (NAWN), Stephenville, NFL
Cochrane Society for Housing Options, Cochrane, AB
Central Alberta Immigrant Women's Association, Red Deer, AB
Greater Trail Community Skills Centre Society, Trail, BC
Centre de femmes de la Vallée de la Matapédia, Amqui, QC
Centre d'intégration au marché de l'emploi (CIME), Sherbrooke, QC
Sunshine Coast Resource Centre Society, Sechelt, BC
Women's Network PEI, Charlottetown, PEI
Tri-County Women's Centre Society, Yarmouth, NS
Femmessor Cote-Nord, Baie-Comeau, QC
Action Plus Brome Missisquoi, Farnham, QC
YWCA Halifax, Halifax, NS

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Priority: Ending Violence Against Women

Justice Options for Women Inc., Charlottetown, PEI
CALACS Abitibi, Amos, QC
Shining Mountains Living Community Services, Red Deer, AB
Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert Inc., Prince Albert, SK
La Loche Friendship Centre Corp., La Loche, SK
Centre d'amitié autochone du Saguenay, Chicoutimi, QC
Fort St. John Women's Resource Society, Fort St. John, BC
Yellowhead Community Services Society, Clearwater, BC
Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, Truro, NS
Western Regional Coalition to End Violence Inc., Corner Brook, NFL
Southern Chiefs Organization, Winnipeg, MB
Creating Hope Society, Edmonton, AB
Coalition sherbrookoise pour le travail de rue, Sherbrooke, QC
Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre Inc., Portage la Prairie, MB
Fort Saskatchewan Families First Society, Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Comox Valley Transition Society, Courtenay, BC
Golden Women's Centre Society, Golden, BC
Family Transition Place, Orangeville, ON
Association féminine d'éducation et d'action sociale (Afeas), Montreal, QC
Quesnel Women's Resource Centre Society, Quesnel, BC
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), Regina, SK
Thompson Crisis Centre Inc, Thompson, MB
Partners for Youth Inc, Fredericton, NB

For media inquiries only:             

Michelle Bakos
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and  Minister for Status of Women
819-997-5421

For all other inquiries, contact:

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839

Ce texte est également disponible en français.
For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.