New funding will help more women and survivors access critical support services
TORONTO—The Ontario government is investing an additional $18.7 million this year to help prevent and address violence against women and girls. This funding builds on the province’s existing investments of $1.4 billion over the next four years to end gender-based violence and support victims.
“Today (December 6) marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which honours the 14 women killed and those injured 34 years ago at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal,” said Michael Parsa, minister of children, community and social services. “This day is a solemn reminder of the importance of ensuring that we do all we can to prevent gender-based violence and address its root causes. Our investments will help ensure women and girls can live in safety-free from violence.”
The $18.7 million investment includes an additional $18.14 million to approximately 400 gender-based violence service providers across the province to help them hire more staff, improve services and increase their ability to provide services to women and children.
An additional $546,000 will be invested in the Women’s Economic Security Program and the Investing in Women’s Futures program to create more opportunities for women to build skills, gain employment and become financially independent.
“These investments are a continuation of our wider work to support women’s success and build a stronger Ontario together,” said Charmaine Williams, associate minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “Increasing women’s participation in the economy is critical to their financial independence, their family’s prosperity, and Ontario’s economic growth. Because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.”
This funding is part of Ontario’s $162 million agreement with the federal government through the National Action Plan to end Gender-Based Violence.
“The government of Canada is proud to support programs that help women and children experiencing gender-based violence, through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Ontario-STANDS (Standing Together Against gender-based violence Now through Decisive actions, prevention, empowerment and supports) is one of the many examples of this funding in action, and we commend the frontline workers who are working day after day to save lives. During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we remember the lives lost to violence and commit to building a safer Canada for everyone,” said Minister Marci Ien, minister for women and gender equality and youth of Canada.
Over the next four years, the province will implement a cross-government strategy to increase funding to service providers to increase their ability to provide supports, expanding initiatives that help stop gender-based violence before it occurs, making it more seamless for women and children to transition between supports, and expand programs that provide training and employment opportunities for women so they can gain financial independence.
“On behalf of our membership, Family Service Ontario applauds the government’s commitment to addressing gender-based violence through a comprehensive strategy that includes a focus on prevention,” said Susan Somogyi Wells, chief executive officer Family Service Ontario. “This is a pivotal step, and family service agencies stand prepared to collaborate, working together with all stakeholders to ease the growing epidemic of gender-based violence in our communities.”
Cora McGuire-Cyrette, chief executive officer of the Ontario Native Women’s Association said, “for over 50 years ONWA has been working to empower, support and end violence against Indigenous women. Indigenous women, like all people, have the fundamental right to be safe. When Indigenous women are safe and well, communities and families are better able to thrive. I am pleased to see the Ontario government’s commitment to ending gender-based violence. It will take everyone working together to address violence against women and systemic racism. I look forward to working in partnership towards systemic change.”
“Gender-based and intimate partner violence is a crisis in Ontario’s municipalities requiring an urgent and coordinated response across all levels of government,” said Colin Best, president of the Association of Municipalities (AMO). “The province’s plan strengthens critical services and supports, recognizes the importance of community-specific approaches, and commits to important reforms in the justice system. Municipalities look forward to working with the province and broader partners to build an Ontario free of gender-based violence.”
