Madam Chair, I'd like to correct, or at least clarify, the record, based on what the last honourable speaker said. She mentioned FAFIA's funding, I think in the amount of $600,000 or $650,000, between certain years. I want to clarify that a large portion of the money facilitated the participation of Canadian women in the Beijing Plus 10 proceedings in New York.
If I might follow up with an answer to some of your questions, one of the things that I would like to do with your question is slightly turn it. Rather than asking about the effect on non-profits, I'd like to ask, what is the effect on women and the non-profits that service women? For the record, I should say it's news to us that there has been a reallocation of the $5 million. I suppose I'm pleased to hear it and look forward to more information about that.
I don't want to speak for my colleagues, but certainly we all agree that women on the ground, poor and marginalized women, who struggle day to day in Canada, need services. We don't disagree with that of course. That may be necessary, but is it sufficient for women's equality in this country? It is not sufficient for women's equality.
I'll give you an example. I am a member of FAFIA, as well as being on the board, and I work in the area of housing with a lot of low-income women who experience violence. It is absolutely true that they need services. They need social workers, counsellors, and housing help centres. There are all sorts of immediate services that they need.
But let's take an example from the Yukon. Women there don't just need those services; they need people who can advocate for them. Why? Because at the municipal and territorial government levels, priority is not accorded to women who are leaving abusive relationships for social housing. The social housing provider, which is an arm of the government, does not prioritize abuse as a reason for getting social housing.
Under Status of Women Canada's new mandate, organizations are not allowed to lobby or advocate with government. That means women who are fleeing domestic violence have no one there to advocate for a safe place for them to live. Is that really what we all want to happen to women in this country?