NationTalk: A historic funding agreement signed today, December 14, will see the federal government invest $18.3 million over four years to help Nova Scotia end gender-based violence.

Through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the Province can help fund programming by community-based service providers that aligns with Standing Together, the provincial action plan to prevent domestic violence, and the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission.

“By working together, we can create awareness and prevention strategies, and build a greater capacity to help break the devastating cycle of gender-based violence,” said Jill Balser, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “We know there isn’t a single solution, and no one level of government or organization can address this alone. That’s why the national action plan is so important.”

A 10-year plan that aims to build a Canada free of gender-based violence, it focuses on three priority areas: increasing prevention efforts, ensuring underserved populations are prioritized and supported in culturally appropriate ways, and strengthening and supporting the gender-based violence response sector.

Under the plan, provincial and territorial governments will work together in partnership with survivors and their families, Indigenous partners, service providers, experts and advocates, and across government to respond to emerging issues and the evolving needs of survivors and victims.

Quotes:

One year ago, we signed the endorsement of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence right here in Nova Scotia, and today’s announcement brings us one step closer to a future where everyone can live free from violence. By partnering with the provincial government, we are making sure that these supports are strong, culturally relevant and respond to the needs of communities in Nova Scotia. Lisa Hepfner, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre has been working to address the first-hand and intergenerational impacts of domestic and gender-based violence for decades. One of the biggest challenges we have faced is inconsistent and intermittent funding for those programs. The national action plan will create a more stable environment for us to provide support for our community members, particularly our youth, who are often in extremely volatile and urgent circumstances. Pam Glode-Desrochers, Executive Director, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

POSSE is grateful for the essential funding to continue our work addressing gender-based violence prevention, intervention and support. This funding will have an incredible impact on POSSE’s ability to respond to the needs of those who access POSSE’s trainings and outreach. This funding is a testament to both POSSE’s work and the commitment of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women to invest in the people and services that tirelessly work to push back against systems that foster gender-based violence and oppression. Kimm Kent, co-founder and Director, Peer Outreach Support Services & Education (POSSE)

Quick Facts:

• this is one of a series of bilateral agreements that will be signed between the federal government and the provinces and territories
• more than 11 million people in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence, a type of gender-based violence, at least once since the age of 15
• projects funded by the national action plan fall under one of five pillars: support for survivors and their families; prevention; responsive justice system; implementing Indigenous-led approaches; and social infrastructure and enabling environment

Additional Resources:

National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence:https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/gender-based-violence/intergovernmental-collaboration/national-action-plan-end-gender-based-violence.html

Standing Together: A Provincial Action Plan to Prevent Domestic Violence: https://novascotia.ca/standingtogether/docs/standing-together-evaluation-summary-report.pdf