Mississauga MP announces $50 million in funding to combat gender-based violence

Mississauga | Ontario | Latest News | Politics |

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Published October 2, 2020 at 7:17 pm

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Over the last few months, instances of gender-based violence have increased significantly during the pandemic.

As a result, Iqra Khalid, MP for Mississauga—Erin Mills, has announced up to $50 million in funding to support organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.

This funding announced today includes:

  • Up to $10 million for women’s shelters and sexual assault centres to help them continue to provide their critical services safely;
  • Up to $10 million to support organizations providing services related to gender-based violence to Indigenous people off-reserve; and
  • Up to $30 million for other women’s organizations to support the delivery of GBV supports, to help combat the spread of COVID, and to address the increased demand for services.

This funding has allowed 291 organizations across Ontario to stay open and continue providing support and services for members of their communities.

“There are hundreds of organizations around Canada providing relief and support to vulnerable women fleeing violence. The number of women seeking support has increased exponentially during this pandemic and this support is very much needed and will be a sigh of relief for those on the front lines,” Khalid said in a news release.

“We can and must do more to end the systemic nature of gender-based violence while we provide short term relief such as this,” she continued.

Further, this funding will build on previous emergency funding provided to women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations providing support for victims of gender-based violence.

“COVID-19 is a crisis unlike any other and it has laid bare the cracks in our support systems. This crisis has thrown into sharp focus the needs of organizations serving women and children who are fleeing violence,” Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, said in the same release.

No one should be left without a place to turn at this difficult time and our government have moved swiftly to provide $100 million to these critical front-line organizations, ensuring their doors can remain open and they can continue their lifesaving work,” she continued.

Cover photo courtesy of Iqra Khalid via Instagram

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