Evidence of meeting #37 for Status of Women in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was family.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director General, Crime Prevention, Corrections and Criminal Justice Directorate, Public Safety Canada
If there were a political decision to move forward we would support that.
NDP
The Chair NDP Hélène LeBlanc
Thank you, Ms. Connidis.
Merci beaucoup, Ms. Nash.
Ms. Young, go ahead for five minutes.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Thank you very much, and thank you to all the witnesses for your very interesting presentations.
I want to start with Ms. Akman, because you were cut off when you were speaking about the funding for settlement services, particularly for this range of programs and services to newcomers and immigrants to Canada between 2004-2006 and now. You were talking about the increase in funding and the increase in programs and the increase in programs specifically in this area.
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Your question is: what has the increase been?
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Yes, because there was an implication that there was a cut in programming. You alluded to it, so can you be more precise?
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
There is a funding formula for settlement programming that's based on the intake of immigrants to each province, so that shifts from time to time. But overall, settlement funding has increased and is currently at $600 million per year.
November 25th, 2014 / 10:05 a.m.
Conservative
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
I believe it was $200 million in 2003.
Conservative
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes.
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, it has increased.
Conservative
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, it is substantive.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
I'm aware that in Vancouver, anyway, which is where I'm from, there is an organization called the Vancouver violence against women project. They've been in place for a long time and have done precisely this kind of programming. They have said that their program funds have increased as well.
Would you say there has been a greater emphasis from the department's perspective on ensuring that these kinds of programs specifically are more stable in terms of their funding, and/or that the funding within this area of looking at violence against women or supporting work against this has increased, within the overall $600 million?
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
There has been an increased focus on the issue of violence against women and practices that are dangerous to women's health and well-being within the settlement funding and within the various documents that support the settlement programs, such as “Welcome to Canada”. So there has been more of a focus on ensuring that women get the support they need should they be in vulnerable situations.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Would you say that these kinds of programs have expanded beyond the typical immigrant settlement agencies that provide programming, for example, to more mainstream agencies like the YWCA, etc.? Has your funding for these programs expanded beyond the traditional base?
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
We have a very large range of non-governmental organizations that are funded through the settlement programming, including, yes, organizations like the YMCAs or YWCAs.
To respond to an earlier question, organizations can come back for renewed funding whenever a new call for proposals is launched.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Therefore, in addition to expanding program funds by a tremendous amount we've expanded the access points for women who are experiencing violence to be able to access programs and services. Would you say that's correct?
Director, Immigration Branch, Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Yes, I believe so.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
Ms. Israel, would you say that would be similar to where you're coming from in terms of programs and services?
Director General, Social Policy and Programs Branch, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
In what respect, if I could ask for clarification?
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
With regard to access to your programs and services for women who are experiencing violence, or—
Director General, Social Policy and Programs Branch, Education and Social Development Programs and Partnerships Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
As I said earlier, I think there is an evolution in lessons learned, and always ensuring that we apply those lessons learned to the terms and conditions of our programming.
If we take prevention projects that are serving first nations on reserve, one of the things we'd like to ensure is that either individuals or communities are accessing partnerships, for example. I think It is something that becomes vital, moving forward.
Conservative
Wai Young Conservative Vancouver South, BC
You did talk about the fact that there were more shelters, and there was an increase in funding of $500,000, etc. Can you be more specific, please?