Harper Government Teams Up With the White Ribbon Campaign and the Toronto Argonauts to Help End Violence Against Women And Girls In Toronto

TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women , today announced Government of Canada support for an innovative project that will see the White Ribbon Campaign and the Toronto Argonauts engage men and boys in reducing violence against women and girls in the Toronto area.

"We believe violence against women is an issue for all Canadians to address - women and men, girls and boys. We all must be a part of the solution," said Minister Leitch. "This unique approach has led our Government to support innovative projects like this one with the White Ribbon Campaign and the Toronto Argonauts to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls."

"The Government of Canada is committed to ending violence against women and girls in communities across Canada," said Stella Ambler, Member of Parliament for Mississauga South. "By working collaboratively with men and boys to stop gender-based violence before it starts, this project will make the Toronto area safer for everyone."

The Government of Canada is providing $600,000 for a 36-month project entitled "Huddle Up and Make the Call - A Gender-based Violence Prevention Project". This project will see the White Ribbon Campaign partner with the Toronto Argonauts Football Club to deliver a violence prevention initiative in secondary schools in the Greater Toronto area.

As part of the project, White Ribbon Campaign representatives and Argonauts players will deliver positive, inspiring anti-violence messages and calls to action in secondary schools and communities. Activities they will collaborate on include in-school engagements, youth leadership development, public service announcements, and general public education both in the community as well as at football games in Toronto.

"The Argonauts have a tradition of engaging everyone - men and women, boys and girls - in addressing violence in our communities," said Todd Minerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign. "We are pleased to partner with them and the Government of Canada to help reduce and prevent violence against women and girls."

Toronto Argonauts Executive Chairman & CEO Chris Rudge commented, "Our long-standing and award winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention program, presented by Tim Hortons, has worked for more than a decade to eradicate bullying and the effects of bullying within our schools. Today, we are proud to expand upon that message by partnering with the federal government and the White Ribbon Campaign to educate the youth of Toronto and help to end gender based violence throughout our community."

The White Ribbon Campaign is the world's largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls. Since 1991, the White Ribbon Campaign has expanded to over 60 countries around the world.

The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, celebrating their 140th anniversary in 2013. They are Toronto's #1 community team through player involvement and community programs, including the award winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, presented by Tim Hortons. The Toronto Argonauts are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and have 16 Grey Cup championships to their credit.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, federal support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 600 projects across Canada.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada

For media inquiries only:
Jan O'Driscoll
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. Kellie Leitch, P.C.,
O. Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of
Status of Women Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected] 

For all other inquiries, contact:
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications
and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: [phone]

Jeff Perera
Community Engagement Manager
White Ribbon Campaign
(Work) 416-920-6684 ext. 16
(Cell)  647-283-2144

Eric Holmes
Toronto Argonauts Football Club
Director, Communications
416-341-2733

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