Trudeau Government Announces Big Investment To Support Survivors Of Gender-Based Violence In The Northwest Territories

Everyone deserves to be safe and to live a life free of violence. When violence does occur, it is crucial that survivors have access to timely supports and services that meet their needs.

Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced that the Government of Canada will invest $1 million in YWCA NWT, a women’s organization working to increase women’s safety across the Northwest Territories.

YWCA NWT will address service gaps and barriers in the Northwest Territories by testing different ways of providing safe homes in smaller, remote communities that currently do not have spaces for women who experience violence. An important aspect of the project will be collaborating with local stakeholders, including survivors of gender-based violence and community and political leaders, to realize sustainable solutions. It will work to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence in small communities can rely on timely, reliable, and trauma-informed services.

On December 3, 2018, Minister Monsef announced more than $50 million in funding for nearly 60 projects in communities across the country, such as the one featured today. This funding will support survivors of gender-based violence and their families features, including those who have been underserved, such as Indigenous women and their communities, children and youth, LGBTQ2 individuals, ethno-cultural women, women who are newcomers, refugees or non-status, and women living with disabilities.

“People facing gender-based violence deserve not only protections, but also a pathway to thrive and realize their potential. To achieve this, we will need sustainable funding that addresses gaps and supports for everyone, including underserved groups in rural and remote regions of Canada. I am pleased to make today’s announcement as this investment by the Government of Canada will help YWCA NWT pilot alternatives to safe homes to better support survivors in our territory.”

Michael McLeod
Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories

In June 2017, Women and Gender Equality Canada (formerly Status of Women Canada) announced the first-ever federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence.

To date, the Government of Canada has invested over $200 million to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and their families, and create more responsive legal and justice systems.