October 5, 2020 – Brampton, Ontario
The Federal Government has announced up to $50 million is being made available to support organizations, including those in Brampton South that are providing support and services to those experiencing gender-based violence. The funding announced today includes:

· Up to $10 million for women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help them continue to provide their critical services safely;
· Up to $10 million to support organizations providing services related to gender-based violence to Indigenous people off-reserve; and
· Up to $30 million for other women’s organizations to support the delivery of GBV supports, to help combat the spread of COVID, and to address the increased demand for services.

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 support 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. As the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, I have heard clearly that more needs to be done to support women who have been hit hard by COVID-19” said Sonia Sidhu, member of parliament from Brampton South.

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 1000 organizations across the country received much-needed funding that helped ensure they could keep their doors open to those in need.

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 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.

QUOTES:
“Women have been some of the hardest affected by COVID-19. I have heard clearly from people in Brampton South and in my role as Vice-Chair of the Status of Women Committee that more needs to be done to support them. By investing $50 Million in to support organizations that help those experiencing gender-based violence the Federal Government is working to ensure no Canadian and no Bramptonian has to live in fear .” - Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South
“COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other and it has laid bare the cracks in our support systems. This crisis 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 life saving work.”- The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development