Good morning, Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen members of Parliament.
On behalf of the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne, or AFFC, I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Finance for this opportunity to present our recommendations for the 2024 federal budget.
My name is Nour Enayeh, and I'm president of the AFFC. With me today is Soukaina Boutiyeb, the organization's executive director.
We are a non-profit feminist organization dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the role and contribution of more than 1.3 million francophone and Acadian women living in minority situations. AFFC is fortunate to have a network of 15 member organizations in eight provinces and one territory.
This year, the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023‑2028 officially recognized the essential contribution of women to the development of official language minority communities. Women ensure the transmission and transformation of the francophone identity. They are the true guardians of francophone and Acadian communities. Unfortunately, this contribution receives little or no recognition. Recognition of their contribution must be articulated, and investments must be concrete and constant. That's what we're asking you to do today.
Since the pandemic, the country has seen a worrying rise in cases of gender-based violence. The National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence announced for 2022 makes no specific mention of francophone and Acadian women. They are entitled to receive services in French.
What's more, for the AFFC network, the reality of funding organizations is very worrying, since not all our member organizations benefit from core funding. The allocation of core funding will enable them to continue to play their essential role in their communities.
In Canada, women account for around 54% of caregivers. Their reality is unique. The importance of mental and physical health takes on its full meaning, and access to respite services is in constant demand. Health care, transportation and respite services must be accessible in French.
Programs and services developed by the government produce effects that may be felt differently depending on the identity factors relating to each person. This is what the Gender-based Analysis Plus, or GBA+, attempts to address. However, not all federal institutions apply it in the same way. To be fully effective, GBA+ must be applied comprehensively, and its results made accessible to the public.
The AFFC submits the following recommendations to the committee.
Firstly, we recommend that the next budget apply a more comprehensive gender-based analysis and ensure that the results are accessible to the entire population.
Second, we recommend that the government invest an additional amount in the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, and that it dedicate a specific envelope for francophone and Acadian women's organizations in minority settings.
Third, we recommend that the government ensure specific core funding for all minority francophone and Acadian women's organizations, and that it invest $280 million over five years from the envelope of funds allocated as core funding for Canadian francophonie organizations, in order to prevent organizations from reaching a breaking point.
Fourth, we recommend that the government set aside a specific envelope for francophone and Acadian women's organizations as part of the funding allocated to all federal institutions.
Finally, we recommend that the government invest in facilitating access to resources and services for francophone caregivers.
Mr. Chair, members of the Standing Committee on Finance, thank you for your attention.
Soukaina Boutiyeb and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.