Government of Canada supports Newfoundland and Labrador women’s organizations

May 12, 2008

St. John's, NL – Low-income women, immigrant women and women at risk of homelessness in Newfoundland and Labrador will now have the tools they need to build a brighter future for themselves, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.

On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South – Mount Pearl, today announced funding to three organizations for projects that will benefit women in St. John’s and throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

The three organizations will receive a total of $510,889 in funding from the Women’s Community Fund of the Women’s Program of Status of Women Canada. This Fund supports eligible organizations in carrying out projects at the local, regional and national level. To qualify, the initiatives must work toward the equality and full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

One of the three organizations will also receive a contribution from the Women’s Partnership Fund of the Women’s Program of Status of Women Canada.

“Our Government is pleased to support new and innovative approaches to empowering women,” said Minister Verner. “By providing opportunities to under-served and vulnerable women, we are expanding our human potential and showing the world that Canada’s most valuable – and sustainable – resource is its people.”

“These projects will help women from across Newfoundland and Labrador to overcome very real and difficult challenges by providing them with the knowledge and tools that will make the difference,” said Minister Hearn. “I am proud the Government of Canada is opening doors for women from a wide range of backgrounds. Our actions are helping to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow will truly represent the diversity of the Canadian population.”

The following three organizations will receive funding:

• The Newfoundland and Labrador Organization for Women Entrepreneurs will receive $340,844 from the Women’s Community Fund for its project entitled Business Start-up Group Training for Women.
• The St. John’s Status of Women Council will receive $148,820 from the Women’s Community Fund for its project entitled Comprehensive Supports for Women at Risk of Homelessness.
• The Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador will receive both a grant and a contribution from the Women’s Program: a Women’s Community Fund grant of $21,225 for its project entitled Bridging Gaps: Assisting Transition Houses and Shelters to Offer Culturally-Competent Anti-Violence Services to Immigrant Women; and a Women’s Partnership Fund contribution of $20,000 for another project entitled Women, Gender and Immigration: Make Immigrant Women Aware and Assist in Accessing Available Support Services.
  

“We are delighted to have the support of the Government of Canada, which enables us to reach out to low-income women and help them develop their economic security and their long-term participation in the marketplace,” said Ms. Florence White, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs.

“With this new funding, we can test a new and sustainable approach to service delivery for at least 300 women in St. John’s who are either experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness,” said Ms. Franca Smith, Chair of the St. John’s Women’s Council.

“These funds will help us ensure that immigrant women, particularly those facing violence, get the support they need to live safely and to flourish in this beautiful province, in this beautiful country,” said Ms. Yamuna Kutty, President of the Multicultural Women’s Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As announced in Budget 2008, the Government of Canada will develop an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and their participation in democratic life.

Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

For more information on Status of Women Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.