July 6, 2020 - Escuminac, Quebec - Women and Gender Equality Canada
The Government of Canada recognizes that, in recent months, the daily lives of not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations, including women's organizations, have been particularly shaken as the COVID-19 pandemic added further pressure on their already limited and valuable resources. The Government of Canada is determined to continue to support them as best as possible.
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.
That's why today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced a total investment of $400,687 for three projects in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and in the Gaspésie-Les Îles regions.
All three projects are addressing the capacity needs of the organizations receiving funding, and are helping them to continue to promote social and systemic changes towards gender equality:
- The Centre-Femmes Catherine Leblond in Trois-Pistoles received $133,579 to enhance their strategic planning capacity;
- The Centre-Femmes du Grand-Portage in Rivière-du-Loup received $5,212 to increase their diversification of funding; and
- The Table de concertation des groupes de femmes de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine in Escuminac received $261,896 to enhance their strategic planning capacity, increase their advocacy and mobilization capacity and develop new management tools, amongst others.
These are among the more than 250 women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada receiving funding under Women and Gender Equality 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 the country.
Quotes
"With our historic investments, we recognize the women and women's organizations breaking through barriers and express our gratitude to those who have been doing this work for decades on little more than a shoestring budget. The women's movement across Canada has been asking for a reliable, predictable and accessible source of funds to ensure the sustainability of their work. With stable and flexible funding, we are helping Centre-Femmes Catherine Leblond, the Centre-Femmes du Grand-Portage and the Table de concertation des groupes de femmes de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine to grow and thrive, because we know that investing in women's organizations is an 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 for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
"I am proud that the Government of Canada is supporting organizations that are working hard to empower women and to ensure that their rights and interests are respected. The three organizations receiving funding today are standing out for their dynamism and for their dedication towards gender equality. These projects are making a real difference in the lives of women in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, in Gaspésie and in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Revenue
Member of Parliament for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine
"The Centre-Femmes Catherine-Leblond is greatly appreciative for this federal funding, which is allowing us to expand and further develop our strategic planning, helping to improve the lives of women in Trois-Pistoles."
Louise Lebel, President
Centre-Femmes Catherine-Leblond
"The Centre-Femmes du Grand-Portage is proud to receive this funding from the Government of Canada. Greater financial diversification is allowing us to increase our autonomy and financial potential and thus continue to support even more women in Rivière-du-Loup."
Julie Provencher, President
Centre-Femmes du Grand-Portage
"The Table de concertation des groupes de femmes de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine carries out many activities to defend the wellbeing of women and to respond to the major issues affecting them in our region. We are appreciative of this funding from the federal government as it helps to ensure the continuity of these important activities."
Mireille Chartrand, Coordinator
Table de concertation des groupes de femmes de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Quick facts
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As part of the COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada is investing $350 million in the Emergency Community Support Fund to support charities and non-profit organizations requiring financial assistance to address the pandemic.
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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 invested a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019-20, in Women and Gender Equality Canada's Women's Program. This means that in 2023-24, the Women's Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million.
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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.
