Government of Canada announces investment for women's organizations across Quebec

QUÉBEC CITY, April 26, 2019 /CNW/ - 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 maintaining and growing their ability to do this important work is the most effective way to advance gender equality.

That's why today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Québec, 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 over $2.4 million in 10 organizations across Québec.

The announcement was made at the YWCA Québec, where Minister Duclos highlighted the organizations that will receive funding (please see the Backgrounder for more information and testimonials):

• Association YWCA Québec;
• Atikamekw Sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw;
• Centre d'amitié autochtone de la Tuque;
• Centre Ressources pour femmes de Beauport;
• Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association;
• Fonds d'investissment pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin;
• Nation Waban-Aki Inc.;
• Saturviit Inuit Women's Association;
• Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie; and
• Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre.

These are just 10 of the more than 250 women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada receiving 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.

Quotes

"With our historic investment, 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. Our government listened. With this stable and flexible funding across Québec, we are helping these organizations scale up so they can 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

"I am proud of our Government's commitment to gender equality. I am also proud of the support women have received from women's organisations in the province of Québec. The improvements that will result from new projects financed by the Fonds d'investissement pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin and the Quebec YWCA Association will enhance the lives of women and ensure that they have an equal chance at success. Because when women succeed, we all benefit."

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Member of Parliament for Québec

Quick Facts

• 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 proposes to invest 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 equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million annually.
• 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.
• Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2018, women in Canada earned just 88 cents for every dollar earned by men, based on median earnings of full-time workers. The gender pay gap is worse when considering Indigenous women, who earned only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men (Indigenous and non-Indigenous men). Women are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 75% of all part-time workers aged 25-54, with 27% of women reporting childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.
• Some populations are more likely to experience violence and may face unique barriers and challenges that put them at particular risk. According to the 2014 General Social Survey on Victimization, women are at a 20% higher risk of violent victimization than men when all other risk factors are taken into account. Indigenous women are more likely to experience violence and reported having been the victim of a violent crime at a rate 2.7 higher than that reported by non-Indigenous women (219 incidents per 1,000 population versus 81 incidents per 1,000). Women living in the territories were also at a higher risk of violent victimization than women living in the provinces (182 versus 85 per 1,000 population).
• Canada will host the Women Deliver 2019 Conference from June 3 to 6, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Held every three years, it is the world's largest gathering on gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of women and girls.
• The conference is part of a global movement to promote gender equality worldwide that gives voice to a broad spectrum of people, including Indigenous peoples, youth and those living in conflict and crisis settings. It will bring together more than 6,000 individuals?world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists?from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.

Related Product

Backgrounder

Department for Women and Gender Equality ? Women's Program 

One of the ways the Department for Women and Gender Equality advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to address emerging issues as they arise.

The Women's Program funds projects that address systemic barriers to women's equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.

Capacity-building Call for Proposals

In October 2018, Minister Monsef announced a Call for Proposals under the Capacity-building Fund of the Women's Program. Projects at the local, provincial, and national level were eligible for different amounts of funding, based on their specific internal needs and reach.

On March 8, 2019, International Women's Day, Minister Monsef announced that over 250 women's organizations across the country would receive funding from the Capacity-building Fund.

The objective is to fund proposals that will increase the capacity of eligible women's organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women, whose initiatives contribute to a viable women's movement in Canada that advances gender equality. Funding will increase the ability of organizations to grow, meet the increasing demands for their services, and continue to work collectively to address gender equality issues. The fund stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to help support a viable and sustainable women's movement across Canada.

Québec Projects

Today's announcement in Québec City, Québec profiled 10 of the projects selected for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:

Association YWCA Québec
Project title: Implementation of a Practice Framework
Funding amount: $202,332

Association YWCA Québec will improve its ability to serve the diverse needs of the more than 10,000 women and girls it supports, using an intersectional approach to advancing gender equality so that all women in its community are safe and thriving.

The YWCA Quebec supports the well-being, safety and full participation of women and girls in Québec City. Its programs and services are offered around four main pillars: housing and relocation; elimination of violence and discrimination; promotion of women in leadership; and supporting the overall health of women.

"We are grateful to the Government of Canada for its support of our vital services. With this funding, we can help build a better, more equal society where women and girls can contribute and participate fully."

Annie Talbot, President
Association YWCA Québec

Atikamekw Sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw

Project title: You Are Just as Good as Your Partner, no More, no Less!
Funding amount: $220,200

The organization will help develop the Atikamekw Sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw's structure, programs, and services so that it can better support Atikamekw women who are survivors of domestic violence, and ensure these women have the tools to protect their independence and equality in their personal lives.

The Atikamekw Sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw is the official representative of all Atikamekw people, defending and promoting the social, economic and cultural rights and interests of its people. It does this by helping the Atikamekw access various government programs and services, and collaborates and negotiates with federal and provincial governments on behalf of the Atikamekw people.

"Since 1982, the Atikamekw Sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw has been defending and promoting the rights of its people. With this support from the Government of Canada, we can continue to do this important work, and better support Atikamekw women who have experienced gender-based violence."

Yann Gélinas, Executive Director
Atikamekw sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw

Centre d'amitié autochtone de la Tuque

Project title: Tapickot
Funding amount: $250,000

The Tapickot project, which means "equality" in Atikamekw, will support the career development of Indigenous women, using an approach that is culturally-sensitive. It will focus on empowering the women working at the Centre with leadership skills, to better advance gender equality in the region.

Founded in 1974, the Centre d'amitié autochtone de la Tuque provides members of the region's community, regardless of status, with a wide range of programs and services. Over the years, the Centre has developed a diverse range of programs and services to better meet the needs of families. It has become an indispensable resource for the wellbeing of all Indigenous people in the region and a place of knowledge and learning for non-Indigenous members of the community.

"It is our mission to contribute to the social, economic, and cultural development of our community. With this federal support, we can ensure that First Nations women have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential."

Rachelle Chachai, President
Centre d'amitié autochtone de la Tuque

Centre Ressources pour femmes de Beauport

Project title: Strengthening our Feminist Management Skills and Redefining our Action Priorities for Women
Funding amount: $208,476

This funding will help the Centre modernize its resources in order to provide better services for women in the Québec City region. Their clients face a number of challenges to their full social participation and success, ranging from immigration services to access to technology and more.  

The Centre Ressources pour femmes de Beauport is an independent community-based organization. For more than 20 years, it has worked with community partners to improve the lives of women using a feminist approach focused on educating and mobilizing women around various issues.

"We thank the Government of Canada for this investment in our work to support women to overcome the challenges they face to participating fully in our society. With this financial support, we look forward to strengthening our services to better help the women in our community."

Suzanne Boutin, Coordinator
Centre Ressources pour femmes de Beauport

Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association

Project title: Advocating for gender equality in Eeyou Istchee
Funding amount: $290,500

This initiative will support the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee (CWEIA)'s capacity to advance gender equality in the areas of leadership, including politics, business, and throughout a network of community organizations, and will address issues such as women's entrepreneurship, education, work-family balance, as well as violence against women, girls and sexual minorities.

CWEIA is a voice for all Cree women by representing and advocating for gender equity. It plays a very significant role in developing and sustaining Eeyou-Eenou Iskweu (Cree women) through initiatives around healing, culture and socio-economic development. Its services and projects support entrepreneurship among Indigenous women, both individually and collectively.

"As a grassroots organization, we strive to inspire Iiyiyuu/Iinuu women to be empowered through healing and self-development efforts. We want our fellow Iiyiyuu/Iinuu women to be healthy, strong, united, and resilient for the benefit and wellbeing of our families, communities, and nation. We thank the Government of Canada for supporting and investing in our work to achieve these goals."

Linda L. Shecapio, President
Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association

Fonds d'investissement pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin

Project title: Strategic Planning
Funding amount: $210,000

This will help the Fonds d'investissement pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin modernize and adjust how it supports Indigenous and non-Indigenous women on the North Shore of Quebec by building partnerships with other community development organizations in the region.

Le fonds d'investissement pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin (FIEF)'s mission is to empower women to be economically independent through entrepreneurship. In 1995, the organization's founders created the first fund dedicated to women's entrepreneurship in the North Shore of Quebec. Since 2016, the FIEF's activities and services have mainly supported Indigenous women seeking to launch business projects in the North Shore.

"Because of this important investment from the Government of Canada, we will be able to modernize our support for Indigenous women entrepreneurs on the North Shore of Quebec. We look forward to the opportunities that will be available thanks to improved capacity of our organization."

Andrée Hardy, Directrice
Fonds d'investissment pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin

Nation Waban-Aki Inc.

Project title: Mobilization of W8banakiak Women's Knowledge in Ndakinna Territorial Management
Funding amount: $49,427

This investment will help increase the involvement of W8banakiak women in the activities of the Ndakinna office to ensure that services offered to the women in the community are equal and inclusive.

Le Grand Conseil de la Nation Waban-Aki Inc., founded in 1979, is a Tribal Council grouping of the Abenaki bands, Odanak and Wôlinak. Its mission is to represent both communities, ensure the economic development of the Abenakis, and provide administrative support to the Band Councils and agencies it serves.

"We are committed to supporting a sense of belonging and community identity for all W8banakiak people. With this investment from the Government of Canada, we can ensure that women are equally supported by our services."

Denys Bernard, Director General
Nation Waban-Aki Inc.

Saturviit Inuit Women's Association

Project title: Saturviit Association
Funding amount: $532,911

This funding will ensure that the Saturviit Inuit Women's Association's services address intersectional challenges faced by Inuit women in Nunavik. This will be done by evaluating how it funds local women's groups and its programs to improve the social and economic well-being of women.

Saturviit Inuit Women's Association represents all Inuit women of Nunavik aged 16 and over who are James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement beneficiaries. As a regional not-for-profit organization, Saturviit strives to be the voice for Nunavik women and to represent their well-being and interests. Saturviit reaches out to Nunavik's 14 communities and to Inuit women who have migrated south.

"Our mandate is to give a voice to Inuit women of Nunavik. With this federal investment, we will continue to advocate for our community and to end violence against women and children in Nunavik. "

Sarah Aloupa, President
Saturviit Inuit Women's Association

Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie

Project title: The Power of Including all Women in Mauricie: TCMFM, a flagship organization!
Funding amount: $246,645

This five-year investment will be used to improve the Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie's (TCMFM) collaborative practices, to better collaborate with groups that aim to advance gender equality and diversity. It also aims to acquire new management and technology tools. To this end, TCMFM will develop an intersectional and intercultural approach to its services and communication.

Since 1982, the TCMFM has worked to improve the status of women. The organization is made up of various groups, committees and individual members from different backgrounds, such as health and social services, local and regional development, and advocacy. The TCMFM acts as the voice of women in many regional and national groups, as a community representative and an active participant in local and regional development.

"At the Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie, we believe One small step for women is one big victory for our community! This federal investment will not only help us support women, it will also help us create a better community for everyone in Mauricie. We thank the Government of Canada for its support."

Joanne Blais, Director
Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie

Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre

Project title: Local Social Observatory for Indigenous Girls and Women in the Vallée-de-l'Or RCM
Funding amount: $214,656

This investment will help strengthen the Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre's ability to address systemic barriers faced by Indigenous women and girls, to better respond to its core mission, and to better advocate for women by engaging the community.

The Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre is a community hub dedicated to improving the quality of life of Indigenous people in Val-d'Or. It provides culturally relevant outreach services, mainly to support the health, skills development, education and socio-economic success of the community.

"Indigenous women face intersecting challenges to their success. With this federal investment, we can improve our services to the Indigenous women of Val-d'Or in keeping with our values of commitment, respect, integrity, and solidarity."

M. Oscar Kistabish, President
Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre

Associated Links

• Association YWCA Québec (available in French only)
• Atikamekw sipi ? Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw (available in French only)
• Capacity-building Fund Call for Proposals
• Centre d'amitié autochtone de la Tuque (available in French only)
• Centre Ressources pour femmes de Beauport (available in French only)
• Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association
• Fonds d'investissment pour l'entrepreneurship au féminin (available in French only)
• Nation Waban-Aki Inc. (available in French only)
• Saturviit Inuit Women's Association
• Table de concertation du mouvement des femmes de la Mauricie (available in French only)
• Val-d'Or Native Friendship Centre
• Women Deliver 2019

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SOURCE Department for Women and Gender Equality