'We are taking strong action to ensure the continuity of vital services to women and girls during the pandemic'
The federal government is investing $10 million to support organizations that provide important services to those experiencing gender-based violence amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding is part of the $50 million allocated to support organizations providing services to women and their families fleeing violence under the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The government has previously disbursed the other $40 million in funding through Women and Gender Equality to more than 500 women's shelters and sexual assault centres in different parts of the country.
"Gender-based violence remains an unacceptable reality in Canada, one that has been exacerbated by COVID-19. That’s why our government moved swiftly to ensure that nearly 1000 organizations providing services to women and children fleeing violence could access the support they needed to keep their doors open,” said Maryam Monsef, minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development.
“I am deeply grateful to those working tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable as they navigate this challenging time. As we move into the next phase of this crisis, our government will continue to focus on helping those who need it most, including ensuring that women and others hit hardest are at the centre of our recovery.”
The funding began to flow in June as part of the second phase of the government’s collaborative response to increased demands from frontline organizations working to heal and support women and children fleeing abuse.
Through both phases of this funding, the federal government is supporting nearly 1,000 organizations across the country. To date, more than 200 of these organizations have received funding and an additional 145 eligible organizations are expected to receive their funding in the near term, said the government.
“This funding from the Government of Canada will provide additional critical support to local organizations in order for them to continue to reach and support victims of sexual and domestic violence. Once again, we are taking strong action to ensure the continuity of vital services to women and girls during the pandemic,” said Paulette Senior, president and CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Monsef also announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the government of Québec that will provide $2.3 million in funding directly to the province to distribute to organizations throughout Québec. The fund transferred to the province is in addition to the previously announced $40 million, which included $6.46 million in dedicated funding for women’s shelters and sexual assault centres in Québec.
The government said that, since 2015, it has provided more than $230 million in dedicated funding to women’s and equity-seeking organizations across the country and is supporting more than 500 organizations with multi-year funding.
Recently, the government announced a $4 million funding through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) to support more than 700 women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in southern Ontario.
