Strong Women Mean a Strong Canada: Guergis

COLLINGWOOD, ON, Feb. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The Government of Canada is supporting a new project that will help improve the lives of women and girls in the Georgian Triangle of Ontario, including Simcoe and Grey Counties, the Honourable Helena Guergis, Minister of State (Status of Women), announced today.

"Our government is taking action to keep Canadian families safer," Minister of State Guergis said. "All Canadians benefit when women are economically secure, physically safe and showing leadership across the country. Our investment in this initiative will help more women and girls in Ontario's Georgian Triangle to reach their full potential."

My Friend's House: Collingwood Crisis Centre will receive $221,490 for its project, "Next Door" Transitional Support Program for Women.

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

"Domestic violence and woman abuse is a reality of life in this beautiful region of Ontario, just as it is everywhere else, and we at My Friend's House are working hard to change that," said Ms. Alison Fitzgerald, Executive Director of My Friend's House, Collingwood Crisis Centre. "Reaching some 30 women each year, our 'Next Door' project empowers women and children to end the violence in their lives by providing long-term therapeutic intervention that will support them as they transition from shelter to community to self-sufficiency and on to full participation."

"Over the past year, our Government has listened to the concerns of groups and individuals across the country," said Minister of State 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."

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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]