Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you for the question. It is clearly an important one.
I will say that since April 2020, WAGE has distributed more than $122 million, and that money has gone to more than 1,300 shelters, sexual assault centres and other organizations that are providing pivotal supports for those experiencing GBV. Because of this funding, 1.3 million individuals experiencing violence had somewhere to go, had a place to turn to and had supports that they needed.
Digging into this a little deeper, 448 organizations were able to hire new staff, and nearly 500 organizations were able to hire additional staff or extend shifts, which was so important during this time and which continues to be important, to respond to the increased demands for supports and services that we have heard about today and that you have heard about in this committee; 560 organizations were able to expand programs and services to respond to increases in GBV during this pandemic; 230 organizations were able to acquire new rental housing units or shelter beds; and 96 organizations were able to support child care, as well as services in support of children, because we know that when women are fleeing intimate partner violence, many have children with them and they need special supports to make sure they are okay.