Government of Canada Supports Alberta Women Victims of Violence

Edmonton, Feb. 5 – The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada support for a project addressing the issue of ending violence against women and girls, specifically by enhancing services currently offered by and creating a stronger support system in Alberta’s women’s shelters.

“I am proud that our Government is working cooperatively with community organizations like the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters to help end violence against women,” said Minister Ambrose. “This project provides the necessary tools for women’s shelters in Alberta to empower women victims of violence to move forward, creating better lives for themselves and their families.”The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters is receiving $160,000 for the three-year project, entitled Changing Lives: Empowering Women through Enhanced Shelter Practices. The project addresses the priority issue of ending violence against women and girls.

“We are very pleased to have the Government of Canada’s support for this province-wide project, which builds on our organization’s past success and works directly with 1,800 women who are victims of violence,” said Ms. Jan Reimer, Provincial Coordinator of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. “The project’s key activities are to develop and exchange knowledge and information on domestic violence, and to empower women using shelters in Alberta, particularly those accessing emergency and second-stage shelters, through enhanced services and supports.”

In addition to this important project, the Government of Canada is proud to support a variety of initiatives in Alberta that have contributed to keeping women and girls safe. Examples of these initiatives are:

• Women Building Futures Training Centre, a project that helps disadvantaged Edmonton women, many of whom are Aboriginal, build the skills they need to better their lives;
• the Edmonton Domestic Violence Centre, an initiative that provides culturally sensitive support to Aboriginal and immigrant women and girls who are victims of domestic violence;
• the Silkworm Project, which is working to establish a shelter – the first of its kind in Canada – offering services and programs targeted specifically at immigrant and refugee women who are victims of violence or trafficking; and
• Stop the Violence, a pilot project designed by the Westlock Women’s Association that takes an innovative approach to education, awareness and support programs for victims of violence against women in rural and remote areas of Alberta.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like these because they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening our families, our communities and our country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government’s support for community projects like this one has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, growing from $10.8 million to $19 million – its highest level ever.

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

For further information:

Rebecca Thompson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
819 997-5421

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613 995-7839