Thank you for inviting me to appear before the committee.
Thank you so much, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to discuss the main estimates of the Department for Women and Gender Equality Canada.
Before I continue, I want to take a moment to highlight the excellent work that the members of this committee do, and their important role in moving gender equality forward in Canada.
I appreciate your sharing all of your insights.
It is such an honour to meet with you today on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Canadians deserve an equal opportunity to succeed, and there is a clear link between social and economic prosperity and gender equality. I'm here to speak about how Women and Gender Equality Canada’s main estimates put that perspective into concrete action.
WAGE is receiving $290 million via the main estimates, of which $225 million is in grants and contributions. This funding supports our work and, more importantly, will go toward equity-seeking organizations that help to drive systemic change.
We've been tested these last few years, but we've seen who we are and what we're capable of as Canadians. The pandemic made clear where we have challenges, and it shone a light on who has been disproportionately impacted and who our most vulnerable are. It strengthened our resolve as to why we are in this work. It revealed opportunities: How do we build back better and stronger? How do we embrace what full inclusivity looks like?
It also reinforced the core of our most important policies and inspired the design of new ones. The truth is that dental care, rental affordability, child care and support and funding for women, girls, youth and the 2SLGBTQI+ community are not just good policy; they are vital parts of a just and equal society.
We are moving full speed ahead. Budget 2023 included $160 million for the women's program that is to go to grassroots organizations. We stepped up and provided $300 million in emergency funding to organizations across the country. This funding has reached more than 1,400 frontline organizations and helped more than two million people experiencing violence get the support they need. It helped them find a safe place to stay and it helped them get out of unsafe situations.
The work continues. Emergency funding was necessary to address real challenges, but without ever losing sight of finding longer-term solutions, which is why our work with provinces and territories is so vital. We have worked to support crisis hotlines across the country. We've signed agreements with nine provinces and territories for a total of $23.2 million.
I want to highlight this because it's really important. Why? Because 24-7, 365 days a year, if women and children are fleeing violence, someone will answer the phone at any time of the day, any time of the year, and they'll hear their own language on the other side. These crisis hotlines will save lives.
The 10-year national action plan to end gender-based violence is a key partnership between our government, provinces and territories. It is specifically designed to stabilize the gender-based violence sector. We provided half a billion dollars for the first five years to support provinces and territories in implementing it. We're negotiating right now. We're at the table right now.
These plans must show what's needed and where to end GBV, because each province and territory is unique.
They must be aligned with our agreed upon principles, and once they are signed off, the funds will flow quickly.
Talks are going well. This summer, when I meet with my provincial and territorial counterparts, we're looking forward to a done deal.
Thank you.
I'm happy to answer questions from members of the committee.