Government of Canada announces investment in women’s organizations across Prince Edward Island

May 24, 2019 – Summerside, Prince Edward Island – Department for Women and Gender Equality

Women’s organizations provide vital services to 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, Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, 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 $1.25 million in three women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women in Prince Edward Island:

  • Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island Inc.;
  • Actions Femmes ÎPÉ; and
  • East Prince Women’s Information Centre.

These organizations are three 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, we are helping women’s organizations in Prince Edward Island 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 andMinister for Women and Gender Equality

“The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and to providing support to make it happen. Our plan means more stability and increased capacity for women’s organizations in Prince Edward Island so they can continue to provide the essential services that they do.”

Bobby Morrissey
Member of Parliament for Egmont

“Our grandmothers, moms, aunties, sisters and cousins provided us with leadership and guidance with the knowledge and teaching that if women were strong, their communities would be strong. Women are the true-life givers of their communities and it is important for us to continue our work to educate Indigenous women. With new support from the federal government, we can move forward with our plan to expand and share best practices with the Indigenous community across Prince Edward Island.”

Marlene Thomas, Vice President
Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island Inc.

“We are very pleased with today’s announcement of support from the federal government. With this financial assistance, we can expand and improve our services to Acadian, Francophone and Francophile women across Prince Edward Island and further our objectives of achieving gender equality in our society.”

Michelle Pineau, President
Actions Femmes ÎPÉ

“We are the only women’s centre in Prince County. We try to provide support to all the issues affecting women today, including training, education and employment, addictions, justice, gender equality and gender-based violence. We are very pleased to see the Government of Canada come through with support to increase our capacity, as it recognizes the value of women’s organizations and how much they contribute to Canadian society.”

Andy Lou Somers, Executive Director
East Prince Women’s Information Centre

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.
  • Gender-based violence can have lifelong impacts on an individual’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, the effects can be serious and costly. Annually, the economic impact of intimate partner violence and sexual assault is estimated to be more than $12 billion.
  • 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 and give 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 7,000 individuals—world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, youth and journalists—from more than 160 countries, with an additional 100,000 people joining virtually.

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Contacts

Braeson Holland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
343-549-8825

Valérie Haché
Senior Communications Advisor
Department for Women and Gender Equality
819-420-8684

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