Activities to reduce family violence have been extended for 1995-96 with resources of up to $30.28 million government wide. During the year the government will ensure that action is effective, focused and integrated into a broad federal strategy to reduce all types of violence, including family violence.
About 74 per cent of the resources for 1995-96 will be used to support shelter housing, services for on-reserve First Nations and Inuit communities, and community action projects. As well, the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence will continue serving as a national resource centre for communities across the country.
Twelve million, three-hundred thousand dollars of the $30.28 million is being allocated to First Nations and Inuit communities. The funding will be used to help First Nations and Inuit communities continue prevention, intervention and treatment, research, evaluation and professional training to reduce family violence.
Provincial/territorial governments, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders have acknowledged that federal leadership is needed to co-ordinate a national, cross sectoral response to family violence. The federal government will continue to play a leadership role on family violence within the resources allocated for the year, through co-ordinated, strategic activities. One of the federal government's objectives is to determine how best to integrate family violence work into a broader strategy to reduce all violence in Canadian society. The federal government, primarily through the justice department, will lead this activity. In addition, the federal government will continue to work with other levels of government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to build on the work to date on family violence.
During 1995-96 the federal government will support shelters for battered women and children, community based action, services for First Nations on-reserve and Inuit peoples, criminal justice reform, training of RCMP members, treatment programs for federal offenders, and the activities of the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence.
Also during 1995-96 the government will review its family violence activities to ensure they are effective, focused and integrated into a broad, federal strategy to reduce all types of violence, including family violence.
Question No. 220-