Yvonne Jones announced $50 million available to organizations providing gender-based violence supports and services
October 14, 2020 – Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador – Women and Gender Equality Canada
The COVID‑19 pandemic has highlighted gaps in the very systems designed to keep people safe. It has created unprecedented challenges for those experiencing gender-based violence and the organizations that provide supports and services to them.
Women’s safety must be the foundation on which all progress is built. That’s why, in the recent Speech from the Throne, our government committed to accelerate investments in shelters and transition housing to ensure anyone facing gender-based violence has a safe place to turn.
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Today, Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador, announced up to $50 million is being made available to support organizations, including those in Newfoundland and Labrador that are providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.
This funding announced today includes:
Today’s announcement builds on previous emergency funding provided to women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations providing gender-based violence services to ensure continuity of services at this challenging time. This brings the total COVID-19 emergency funding provided to GBV organizations to $100 million. Through the first $50 million, more than 22 projects across Newfoundland and Labrador received much-needed funding that helped ensure they could keep their doors open to those in need.
Organizations such as Nain Transition House, Libra House, Kirkina House, Selma Onalik Safe House, Natuashish Women's Shelter and Safe House, and Hopedale Status of Women Council, used this funding to enhance cleaning and safety procedures, hire additional staff to manage additional workload, and purchase equipment to help them deliver their services remotely.
On October 14, I visited Nain Transition House to discuss Phase One funding which saw $97,000 allocated to this important community organization. See below:
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While moving swiftly to address immediate needs, our government, in partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, is also moving forward on a National Action Plan to address gender-based violence. This work is focused on ensuring that people who experience gender-based violence have access to timely supports no matter where they live while also laying the foundation to eradicating this unacceptable violence altogether.
The Government has significantly increased funding to grow and strengthen the women’s movement. Between 2015 and 2019, federal support to women’s and equality-seeking organizations increased five-fold, compared to the previous five years. This fiscal year WAGE will make available over $100 million available to these organizations to ensure they can continue their important work, helping to build a stronger, more inclusive Canada. Six million Canadians benefit from the work of these organizations every year.
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“These valued community organizations help women and children throughout Labrador by providing a safe space and critical resources in times of crisis. With this investment, these organizations can continue this important work especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will benefit not only the organizations but the people they’re helping every day.”
Yvonne Jones, M.P. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador |
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“COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other and it has laid bare the cracks in our support systems. This crises has thrown into sharp focus the needs of organizations serving women and children who are fleeing violence. No one should be left without a place to turn at this difficult time and our government have moved swiftly to provide $100 million to these critical front-line organizations, ensuring their doors can remain open and they can continue their lifesaving work.”
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development |
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“No Canadian should have to live in fear. Too many Canadians continue to be victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, online child exploitation, and human trafficking. In recent months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional and unprecedented challenges for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and the organizations that serve them. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring those who are experiencing violence have access to the help they need.”
The Honourable Bill Blair, P.C., M.P. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness |
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“The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified systemic racism and the longstanding inequalities across our society and exacerbated the threats to the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people. Our government’s support of the organizations that provide safety to those fleeing violence is critical to ensuring Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ people are safe wherever they live.”
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P. Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations |
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