Women's organizations provide vital services in our communities, supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society. Yet for far too long they have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined. The Government of Canada recognizes that women's organizations are the lifeblood of the women's movement, and that growing and maintaining these organizations is the most effective way to advance gender equality.
That's why today, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $520,000 in the West Central Women's Resource Centre in Winnipeg to help the organization grow, maintain its support to women and families throughout the Winnipeg community, and advance gender equality.
The West Central Women's Resource Centre is one of more than 250 women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada receiving a portion of its funding under the Government of Canada's Capacity-building Fund. This investment stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women's movement across Canada. The remainder of the funding is a result of a Federal-Provincial-Territorial partnership to strategically identify women's organizations in need of capacity funding that have a significant impact on their community.
The Government of Manitoba has also supported the West Central Women's Resource Centre.
Quotes
"In making this historic investment, we recognize the women and women's organizations that have long been breaking through barriers, and we express our gratitude to them for what has often been decades of important work, on little more than a shoestring budget. For too long, the Canadian women's movement has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work-our government listened. I am proud that now, with stable and flexible funding, we are helping organizations like the West Central Women's Resource Centre to grow and endure, because we know that investing in women's organizations is the most effective way to advance gender equality. By supporting a movement that has achieved amazing results, we are growing the middle class, strengthening families and communities, and creating lasting change that benefits everyone."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality
"It is a privilege to deliver today's increased funding commitment, building on our partnership with our provincial counterparts here in Manitoba. Governments are most effective when they work together-and when it comes to gender equality, we recognize the urgency. "
Terry Duguid
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South
"Women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women make real, tangible differences within our communities across Manitoba. With today's announcement, we intend to demonstrate our continued commitment to supporting the effective resources and solutions that pave the way towards gender equality."
Robert Falcon-Ouellette
Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre
"We are very grateful for this generous funding from the Government of Canada. This kind of investment in our centre allows us to build capacity to further support and empower women and families to move from where they are to where they want to be. When women grow as leaders, they play a key role in building strong and thriving communities. We are committed to continuing this work."
Lorie English, Executive Director
West Central Women's Resource Centre (WCWRC)
Quick facts
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Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women's movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 invests a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019-20, in the Department for Women and Gender Equality's Women's Program. This means that by 2023-24, the Women's Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance gender equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million annually.
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This funding will enable women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women's progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.
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FPT Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women meet annually to share information, exchange best practices and explore issues that affect Canadian women and girls. They also discuss options for mutually beneficial collaboration to support improved social and economic prosperity for women and girls, and to prevent and address violence and abuse against women and girls.
