Three organizations in Greater Sudbury that support those experiencing gender-based violence are sharing $137,000 from the federal government to address gaps highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said up to $1.3 million in new money is being made available to support organizations across Northern Ontario.
The three Sudbury-based organizations are the Sudbury YWCA, which is getting $30,000, the Sudbury Women’s Centre, which is getting $60,000, and the Elizabeth Fry Society NE Ontario, which is getting $47,000.
“Women’s safety must be the foundation on which all progress is built,” said Lefebvre, in a news release.
These funds build 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.
In Sudbury, this included $796,000 in emergency community support and capacity building support to more than dozen Sudbury non-profit groups announced last summer.
“COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other, and it has laid bare the cracks in our support systems,” Lefebvre said.
“This crisis has thrown into sharp focus the needs of organizations serving women and children who are fleeing violence. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring those who are experiencing violence have access to the help they need.”
The federal government has significantly increased funding to grow and strengthen the women’s movement, said the news release. 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, Women and Gender Equity Canada will make more than $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, said Lefebvre.
