Strong Women Mean a Strong Canada: Guergis

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is supporting new projects that will help to improve the lives of women and their families across Quebec , the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), accompanied by Sylvie Boucher , Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women announced today.

"A healthy economy remains our government's top priority," Minister Guergis said. "All Canadians benefit when women are economically secure, physically safe and showing leadership across the country. That's why our Government is investing in Quebec organizations that work to advance women's and girls' economic security, to put an end to violence against Aboriginal women and girls, and to encourage women's leadership."

The following four organizations are receiving a total of $610,778 through the Women's Community Fund grants of Status of Women Canada:

    
    -   $201,228 to Relais-femmes for its project, Pour que les femmes
        continuent d'avancer (For the continued advancement of women);

    -   $159,983 to Corporation Wapikoni Mobile for its project, Soirées de
        filles: de l'intime au collectif (Girls' nights: From private to
        shared);

    -   $157,536 to the Table de concertation des organismes au service des
        personnes réfugiées et immigrantes Inc. (TCRI) for its project,
        Améliorons nos conditions de vie : en route vers le développement du
        leadership des femmes immigrées! (Let's improve our living
        conditions: Toward the development of immigrant women's leadership);
        and

    -   $92,031 to the Centre social d'aide aux immigrants for its project,
        Favoriser la participation et la représentation des femmes
        immigrantes et réfugiées dans le quartier Ville-Émard /Côte-Saint-
        Paul (Fostering the participation and representation of immigrant and
        refugee women in the Ville-Émard /Côte-Saint-Paul neighbourhood).
    

"Over the past year, our Government has listened to the concerns of groups and individuals across the country," said Minister Guergis. "As a result of these consultations, we have delivered funding for a national shelter network, supported the introduction of a bill to address human trafficking and helped to support community programs."

"The name of our project says it all - we want to create a better quality of life for immigrant and refugee women, and a stronger Canada by tapping into their leadership and decision-making skills," said Ms. Anne-Marie Rodrigues, co-president of the TCRI. "Using culturally sensitive tools, and training on gender-based analysis and leadership, we will create positive change for 170 new Canadian women and the skilled trainers who work with them, across six regions in Quebec ."

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

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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]