Status of Women Committee on Feb. 29th, 2012

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

When the member opposite said we weren't able to fund some 30 organizations, or some hundreds of organizations, as is the case here, that would be a normal circumstance, given that you always receive hundreds more applications than you're able to fund.

[Linda Savoie]

It's always a competitive process, yes.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Right, to make that very clear.

Would you say that the program funding over the last couple of years has been increased for projects across Canada and to groups?

[Linda Savoie]

In terms of money available for grants and contributions, the money that goes out to groups has approximately doubled since 2007.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Under the Conservative government, the budget for programming in Status of Women has doubled?

[Linda Savoie]

That's correct. The grants and contributions component went from some $10 million to close to $19 million.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

That's amazing, given that we're in budget austerity. Doubling a budget is quite good.

[Linda Savoie]

It's a rare circumstance in government.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

That's an incredible piece of information. Thank you for clarifying that.

I would like to ask you about the blueprint program. In the past, I have supported many organizations in applying for funding or helped them write applications. I used to sit on the board of the YWCA in Vancouver, etc. I am quite amazed by how you've been able to develop and apply this program, because I know sometimes days, months, and years—can I say years?—go into writing a great proposal. It may be something quite complicated and national. Would you say that is accurate?

[Linda Savoie]

It's definitely a big investment of resources, particularly since organizations in the non-profit sector tend to have very few full-time employees and limited capacity to invest in non-essential services. Yes, the feedback I've been receiving from non-profits I have been visiting has been extremely positive with respect to the blueprint projects.

[Wai Young, Conservative, Vancouver South, BC]

Not only have we doubled the budget for the program, but in addition to that we've obviously implemented some efficiencies to support the communities that are applying for these funds.

If you were to name one or two of the comments or responses you've received from these organizations...why do they like these changes?

[Linda Savoie]

One of the things I get the most is clarity. A lot of groups have stated that it's extremely helpful for them to know exactly what we're seeking. For instance, we want a gender-based analysis as part of their project. Another example is a knowledge-dissemination strategy. They have clarity with respect to that, and they also see that we are serious in terms of project evaluation.

In the blueprints we emphasize the importance of the evaluation, because we did want some learning to come from this, and we wanted to be able to analyze this for years to come and learn and invest more wisely.

[The Chair, NDP, Irene Mathyssen]

Thank you very much.

Now I have Ms. Freeman for five minutes, please.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

I'll be passing to my colleague, Ms. Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, for a quick follow-up on her question.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Thank you.

I just wanted to specify something about the 35 groups I mentioned earlier. Those are not new groups, but groups that had already been receiving funding, which was then cut. I also wanted to give you time to finish your answer to my question on the percentage of girl-specific projects.

[Linda Savoie]

Are you talking about model projects?

I apologize, but—

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

As part of the Blueprint Projects, you talked about 65 projects, 15 of which were geared toward young women, but I would like to know what the situation is overall.

[Linda Savoie]

Through that initiative, we identified 65 projects that received funding. Fifteen of them are youth-related projects. We called for projects carried out by young women and aimed at addressing the issue of violence against women and girls. Those 15 projects are specifically focused on that objective and require the active participation of young girls.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

Given that my question was more general, could you send us a written answer?

[Linda Savoie]

Do you want to know how many projects, out of the 330, were focused on the economic issue or how many were focused on girls?

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

I want to know how many of them were focused on girls and how many have been approved. Thank you.

[Linda Savoie]

Okay.

[Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet, NDP, Hochelaga, QC]

I yield the floor to Ms. Freeman.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

Merci. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you for being here today. This has been very informative.

I have a few questions, just to clear up a few things. In your presentation I see four regional offices: Edmonton, Montreal, Moncton, and Ottawa. You said there were five. Where's the fifth one?

[Pascale Robichaud]

The Ontario region is based in the Ottawa office.