During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for crisis hotline services significantly increased across Canada. Crisis hotlines are a lifeline to survivors of gender-based violence and are critical support services.
On Wednesday (Aug 10), the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced $30 million to support crisis hotlines across Canada. Minister Ien was joined by Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, to announce the first bilateral agreement to support crisis hotlines.
Manitoba is to receive to $1 million over four years so crisis centres can hire more staff and train more volunteers. Over the next few months, the Government of Canada will work with each province and territory to sign similar bilateral agreements.
The funding will help crisis hotlines serve the urgent needs of Canadians. Crisis hotlines will offer more robust services, resources and support to prevent the escalation of gender-based violence. This announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment to providing approximately $300 million in emergency COVID-19 funding to support individuals experiencing gender-based violence.
To date, over $230 million has been provided to more than 1,300 women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations. As a result, more than 1.3 million individuals experiencing violence have had a place to go and access to support.
There’s more information at:
-Women and Gender Equality Canada: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en.html
-Gender-Based Violence Knowledge Centre: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/gender-based-violence-knowledge-centre.html
-Budget 2021: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2021/report-rapport/p3-en.html#31