Every person in Canada deserves to live free from violence. By strengthening coordinated, community-based responses, the federal government is helping ensure that victims and survivors of gender-based violence receive timely, effective, and life-saving support, while building safer, more resilient communities across the country.
Today, Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport, on behalf of the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced $871,262 in funding for the Woman Abuse Council of Toronto (WomanACT), for their project Community Wellness - Canadian Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) Pilot.
Through an initial investment of $920,917 provided through Women and Gender Equality Canada's Gender-based Violence Program, WomanACT tested the MARAC model in a Canadian context, coordinating interventions of multiple agencies in responding to intimate partner violence. The model has previously been implemented and evaluated in other settings, where it has led to fewer women being repeated victims of intimate partner violence, provided holistic support, and improved the quality of life for victims and survivors. The additional funding will allow WomanACT to implement the pilot in Toronto. It will also help the organization collaborate with partners to adapt the project to communities in Alberta, using lessons from Ontario to build capacity and help shape a coordinated, multi-agency response model.
Through stronger partnerships, enhanced frontline capacity, and the exchange of best practices, this initiative will create a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to support victims and survivors of gender-based violence. This funding will enhance collaboration across these jurisdictions, improve services for those most at risk, and contribute to safer, more resilient communities.
The Gender-based Violence Program will continue to strengthen federal action on gender-based violence with a recent commitment of $223.4 million over five years, with $44.7 million in ongoing funding, advancing the vision of a Canada free from gender-based violence from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
