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The rates of gender-based violence in Canada are rising, and the Ontario government has announced that it is investing over $1.4 billion over a four year period to combat gender-based violence.
The announcement was made in a press release earlier this month. In it, ministers Michael Parsa and Charmaine Williams issued a joint statement.
“November is Woman Abuse Prevention Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of gender-based violence and to take a stand against this heinous crime in all its forms,” reads the statement.
“Ontario is working to end these unacceptable acts of violence by holding offenders accountable through the justice system and supporting survivors and their families to heal and rebuild their lives.”
The four year plan will see the province invest $1.4 billion of its own funds. Another $162 million is also being invested following an agreement with the federal government under the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, according to the press release.
“In the first year of the action plan, our government invested $350 million to support gender-based violence services,” said the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) media team in an email response to OTR.
“We [have] launched a call for proposals for community-based programs to prevent and address gender-based violence. The call for proposals funding is approximately $100 million over three years and the successful applicants are expected to be announced in late fall.”
According to the MCCSS media team, $120 million is also being invested through the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy (IHWS) to support 17 programs.
$55 million is also being invested in eight victim service programs.
The investment comes months after a report prepared by the The Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses showed that 62 women and children lost their lives in gender-related killings by men in the province.
Harmy Mendoza, executive director of Woman Abuse Council of Toronto, says that her charitable organization aims to create campaigns and work with community members to develop training initiatives.
“With this type of resources we would be better positioned to address the root causes of violence and drive systemic change that promotes safety, equity [and] empowerment for all individuals.”
OTR reporter, fall 2024
A journalist at On The Record.
