Projects address capacity needs to allow organizations to continue promoting social and systemic changes towards gender equality
GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 3, 2020 /CNW/ – Women’s organizations provide vital services in our communities, supporting women and girls to be financially secure, free from violence, and able to fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society. Yet for far too long they have been chronically underfunded, underestimated and undermined.
That’s why today, the parliamentary secretaries to the Minister of Seniors and to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Digital Government, and Members of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation and for Hull—Aylmer, Stéphane Lauzon et Greg Fergus, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced an investment of $259,256 for two projects supporting women and girls in the Outaouais region.
Both projects are addressing the capacity needs of the organizations receiving funding, and are helping them to continue to promote social and systemic changes towards gender equality:
The Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées in the Vallée-de-la-Lièvre and Petite-Nation region received $46,112 to enhance their organizational capacity, specifically in the areas of human resources management, strategic planning and diversification of funding sources; and
Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais (AFIO) in Gatineau received $213,144 to enhance their organizational capacity, to support human resources management, board governance, partnership development, collaboration and networking, as well as develop an advocacy strategy, and support the application of Gender-Based Analysis Plus.
These are among the more than 250 women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women across Canada receiving funding under Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Capacity-building Fund. This investment stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across the country.
Quotes
“Survivors of domestic violence deserve not only to be protected, but also to be able to develop and reach their full potential. I am pleased to make this announcement today, as this investment from the Government of Canada enables the Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées to pilot a project to support victims of gender-based violence in the Outaouais region.”
Stéphane Lauzon Member of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation
“I am proud that the Government of Canada is supporting organizations that are working hard to empower women and to ensure that their rights and interests are respected. The organization Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais is receiving funding today because it is standing out for its dynamism and for its dedication towards gender equality. The funding for this project is making a real difference in the lives of immigrant women in the Outaouais region.”
Greg Fergus Member of Parliament for Hull—Aylmer
“The Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées is greatly appreciative for this federal funding, which is allowing us to improve our ability to safely and effectively deliver our services and continue to offer safe housing focused on the unconditional acceptance of women and children who are escaping domestic violence in the Vallée-de-la-Lièvre and Petite-Nation region.”
Annick Brazeau, Director Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées
“Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais is proud to receive this funding from the Government of Canada. Greater organizational capacity allows us to continue to better meet the needs of newcomer women in the Outaouais and to ensure that even more of them feel at home and at ease.”
Bettyna Bélizaire, Executive Director Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais (AFIO)
Quick Facts
As part of the COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada is investing $350 million in the Emergency Community Support Fund to support charities and non-profit organizations requiring financial assistance to address the pandemic.
As part of the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, $50 million was allocated to support organizations providing services to women and their families fleeing violence, $40 million of which was allocated by Women and Gender Equality Canada. Through the first phase of this funding, $30 million was directly delivered to nearly 700 women’s shelters and organizations serving survivors of sexual assault. Through the second phase, the remaining $10 million is being distributed to other organizations that provide important services to those experiencing gender-based violence. Through both phases of this funding, the federal government is supporting nearly 1000 organizations across the country.
Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 invested a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, in Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program. This means that in 2023–24, the Women’s Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million.
This funding will enable women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.
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Backgrounder
Women and Gender Equality Canada – Women’s Program
Women and Gender Equality Canada works to advance equality for women by focusing its efforts in three priority areas: increasing women’s economic security and prosperity; encouraging women’s leadership and democratic participation; and ending gender-based violence. Women and Gender Equality Canada also plays a leadership role in the government-wide implementation of Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+).
One of the ways Women and Gender Equality Canada advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women’s Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women’s Program to address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women’s Program funds projects that address systemic barriers to women’s equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Capacity-building Call for Proposals
In October 2018, Minister Monsef announced a Call for Proposals under the Capacity-building Fund of the Women’s Program. Projects at the local, provincial/territorial, and national level were eligible for different amounts of funding, based on their specific internal needs and reach.
On March 8, 2019, International Women’s Day, Minister Monsef announced that over 250 women’s organizations across the country would receive funding from the Capacity-building Fund.
The objective is to fund proposals that will increase the capacity of eligible women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations working to advance women’s equality, whose initiatives contribute to a viable women’s movement in Canada that advances gender equality. Funding will help to increase organizational capacity and help organizations work collectively to address gender equality issues. This funding provided the flexibility for organizations to apply for funding to address their specific capacity needs. The fund stems from the Budget 2018 announcement of $100 million over five years to help support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada.
Outaouais region’s Projects
Today’s announcement profiles two projects in the Outaouais region for federal funding through the Capacity-building Fund:
Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées
Project title: Soutien dans la consolidation, l’autonomie et le déploiement de l’organisme Funding amount: $46,112
This 45-month project will address organization capacity needs to allow the organization to continue promoting social and systemic changes towards gender equality. The organization will enhance its organizational capacity in terms of human resources management, strategic planning and diversification of funding sources.
Founded in 2001, the Maison d’Hébergement Pour Elles Des Deux Vallées is a community organization of La Petite-Nation La Lièvre region subsidized by le Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de l’Outaouais (CISSSO) and la Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ). Its mission is to provide refuge and support for women and children who are escaping domestic violence. Accommodation services are focused on the unconditional acceptance of women and their children and may last for a period of 6 to 8 weeks. The organization’s safe house facilities are open 365 days a year and can accommodate 9 women and children at a time.
Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais (AFIO)
Project title: Optimisation de la gouvernance et des capacités organisationnelles de l’AFIO Funding amount: $213,144
This 45-month project will address organization capacity needs to allow the organization to continue promoting social and systemic changes towards gender equality. The organization will enhance its organizational capacity in terms of human resources management, board governance, partnership development, collaboration and networking, as well as through the development of an advocacy strategy, and the application of Gender-Based Analysis Plus.
Accompagnement des femmes immigrantes de l’Outaouais is a regional non-profit community organization founded in 1984. Its mission is to promote the social, cultural and economic integration of immigrant women and their families into the host society. The organization was created in response to the needs of immigrant women to come together, overcome isolation, and develop projects together that respond to their realities.
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SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada
For further information: Marie-Pier Baril, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, 613-295-8123; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 1-855-969-9922
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 250 points in late-morning trading, led by strength in the base metal and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets also charged higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 254.62 points at 23,847.22.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 432.77 points at 41,935.87. The S&P 500 index was up 96.38 points at 5,714.64, while the Nasdaq composite was up 486.12 points at 18,059.42.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was up 89 cents at US$70.77 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down a penny at US2.27 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$9.40 at US$2,608.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.33 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.
For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.
Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.
Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.
What is probate?
Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.
Here’s how it works.
Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.
Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.
Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws
Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.
Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.
1) Virtual witnessing of wills
Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.
Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
2) Simplified process for small estates
Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.
Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.
3) Substantial compliance for wills
Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.
This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.
These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.
The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer
(Image: Freepik.com)
Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.
Here’s how they can help.
Navigating the legal process
Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.
Handling paperwork and deadlines
They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.
Resolving disputes
If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.
Providing you peace of mind
With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.
With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.
Why These Changes Matter
The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.
Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.
With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.
How to Prepare for the Probate Process
Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.
Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.
These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.
Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver
Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.
Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was higher in late-morning trading, helped by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also moved up.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 34.91 points at 23,736.98.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 178.05 points at 41,800.13. The S&P 500 index was up 28.38 points at 5,661.47, while the Nasdaq composite was up 133.17 points at 17,725.30.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.56 cents US compared with 73.57 cents US on Monday.
The November crude oil contract was up 68 cents at US$69.70 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up three cents at US$2.40 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$7.80 at US$2,601.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.28 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
